Council successfully shuts down illegal car wash facility

Buckinghamshire Council’s planning enforcement team has successfully shut down an unauthorised car wash facility that was operating illegally in the car park of a restaurant in London Road, High Wycombe.

Complaints were first received about the operation in an area of the car park at the Salad and Grill restaurant in January 2020. A site office and car wash area had been installed in an area of the car park without planning permission. The planning enforcement team investigated and a Stop Notice and an Enforcement Notice were issued on 29 July 2020.

Following the serving of the Enforcement Notice the tenant appealed and a site visit was carried out. The appeal was considered but was dismissed and the enforcement notice was upheld. The appellant had until 26 May 2021 to comply with the requirements of the notice which included the removal of the site office, canopy structure and all adverts. Ongoing site visits were carried out and discussions and negotiations held with both the tenant and landowner. Both the Stop Notice and Enforcement Notice have now been fully complied with.

Gary Hall, Deputy Cabinet Member for Planning & Regeneration (Enforcement) said: “This is a great result for our enforcement team and for local residents and businesses who had raised concerns. Whilst we are not against local businesses innovating and expanding, it must be done within the legal parameters which did not happen in this instance. We are grateful to the tenant and landlord for their cooperation throughout and we are happy to welcome legitimate applications for suitable new business ventures across the county as long as they are made through the correct channels.”