A NEW car cleaning service in place of an empty storage unit has received pushback from residents concerned about increased traffic – with a town council claiming the new business is not necessary.

Aqua Valet Ltd has received some local resistance to its proposal for a new indoor carwash and valet service in a former storage and distribution unit used by Honda, on Penn Road, in Beaconsfield.

The car cleaning company hopes to transform the site, which was once used to store motor parts, into a ‘by appointment only’ enterprise, servicing between three and four cars every hour, entering via Reynolds Road.

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But residents have cited impact on neighbours, noise pollution, and an upsurge in traffic among their objections – and Beaconsfield Town Council added, “there are a number of similar, existing services within the local area”. Around ten objection letters have been submitted.

The matter is due for debate during a South Buckinghamshire Area Planning Committee, on Tuesday, September 29.

The site is in Beaconsfield New Town, to the rear of the High Street.

Bucks Free Press:

Aqua Valet Ltd is seeking conditional permission to remove the existing garage door and to widen the opening of the building, and to then install a “full width roller shutter” and turntable.

There is also mention of a rear extension comprising a canopy and fencing, and four parking spaces for pre-booked vehicles awaiting service and/or collection, according to council documents.

Four full-time staff members are required on site, resulting in a “moderate level of job creation”.

Recommended operating hours are between 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday, and 8am-1pm on Saturdays.

The site, previously used as storage by Honda, is unoccupied and therefore “no longer required”, according to the report.

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The change of use is “acceptable”, provided it “does not adversely affect… the character and appearance of the area, vitality and the amenity of neighbouring properties,” according to council documents.

Buckinghamshire Council’s principal economic officer said: “The site is not adding anything to the town centre and therefore a change of use would not be detrimental to the town centre or the businesses located within it.”

Beaconsfield Town Council said: “The committee wished to object to this planning application as, from what it could see, access to this carwash will be from Reynolds Road and exit via Penn Road. This will cause blocking of traffic and increase queues within an already busy area.

“The committee also felt there was not a requirement of business as there are a number of similar, existing services within the local area.”

Got a council story? Get in touch rory.butler@newsquest.co.uk