Plans to turn a Heckmondwike taxi booking office and car park into a car wash have been given the go-ahead despite 47 objections.

Kirklees Council’s district-wide planning committee met to discuss the application which related to a taxi booking office and surrounding land at 10A Regent Street. The plans sought permission to change the use of the site to a hand car wash.

The meeting on Thursday, October 15, heard that no more than five cars are expected to queue on site at any one time, with this projection considered to be accurate by officers. It was also said that the car wash would have nine full time employees.

Council officers had recommended that the plans be approved but the application was brought to committee due to the high level of objection received from members of the public.

The application relates to a taxi booking office and surrounding land on Regent Street in Heckmondwike. Photo: Google.

placeholder image — The application relates to a taxi booking office and surrounding land on Regent Street in Heckmondwike. Photo: Google.

A petition with 42 signatures accounted for a high proportion of the objections, and one message in favour of the plans was also received.

In a written comment, one objector said: “Vehicles turning in and out of the site, queuing to be washed or waiting on the roadside will create further traffic build-up and block the normal flow through Regent Street. This increases the risk of accidents and makes it harder and more dangerous for pedestrians, especially families walking to nearby schools.

“Noise is also a major concern. Hand car washes generate a constant level of sound from pressure washers, vacuum cleaners and general activity. In a built-up area like this, that kind of noise would have a real impact on residents and nearby businesses, particularly during early mornings and evenings.”

Neither the applicant nor any members of the public were in attendance at the meeting, so following a short presentation by an officer, it went straight to committee discussion.

Coun Andrew Pinnock (Lib Dem, Cleckheaton) expressed concern regarding the arrangements for queuing and parking at the site.

A council highways officer provided reassurance that the flow of vehicles in and out of the proposed car wash would not interfere with the surrounding roads, and the application was approved unanimously.

Planning permission is subject to a number of conditions including those restricting the hours of use and to mitigate noise.