HOUSES and flats could be built on a landmark former petrol station site in Downend that is currently used as a car wash and garage.
Downend Car Wash in Westerleigh Road would be demolished to make way for a residential development of either eight houses or three houses and six flats, under plans submitted to South Gloucestershire Council.
The potential end of the car wash has been welcomed by neighbours who have written to comment on the plans.
Both the car wash and a car sales and repairs business next door are on the land covered by the planning application.
The site shares access from Westerleigh Road with one of the two car parks for the Huntsman pub, which is not included in the redevelopment plans.
On the other side it backs on to several homes on Elmtree Avenue.
The application for “permission in principle” to build up to nine homes on the site has been submitted by agents LPC on behalf of a developer, whose name has been redacted from planning documents.
The agents said the garage part of the site is facing potential planning enforcement action or investigation, after a retrospective planning application for a change of use from car sales only to a mixed MOT station/workshop and car sales business was refused last year.
Simon Chambers, of LPC, said: “The site is a previously developed one and, given the scale and proximity of surrounding residential properties, is a non-conforming use.”
He said the site is currently protected by a policy that resists changing the use of employment sites unless it can be shown that “all reasonable attempts” have failed to find a suitable reuse.
Mr Chambers added: “In this case, the lawful use is not deemed appropriate for the site in view of its sensitive location surrounded by residential dwellings and the shared vehicular access with the pub.
“This is not an obvious employment site in view of the physical constraints and its use is not a high employment opportunity, and the planning history confirms the local conflict and limited options for expansion.”
He said the site was a sustainable brownfield location in an established residential area, with vehicle access that would have fewer “potential comings and goings” than the car wash business and has a bus stop in front of it.
Five residents who commented on the plans all supported the idea of houses, rather than a combination of flats and houses, on the site.
But they raised concerns over parking provision, with one plan proposing 14 spaces for eight houses and the other 15 spaces for nine houses and flats.
Michelle Rogers said: “No more car wash! Great! I will agree to almost anything to replace the noise that we have had to endure from the car wash, seven days a week, for years.
“The obvious problem with building houses is going to be the parking.
“Dibden Road opposite the proposed site has cars now parked all over the grass space.
“Over occupancy in the proposed site is a huge concern, and I cannot stress this enough.
“My hope is the newbuilds and residents have a positive effect and enhance the area.”
Natalie Lodge also supported the plan for housing but said: “There is inadequate parking provision on both plans.
“The shared access with the Huntsman is on a main road, we already have issues with inadequate street parking for the terraced properties opposite, especially those that have more than one vehicle per household. Where are their visitors going to park?”
The council’s trading standards department said that as the land was previously the site of a petrol station, last used in 1996, it is aware of underground fuel storage tanks on the site.
An officer said: “We could only support this development once there is evidence provided that the required procedures will be followed in order to ensure the safe removal of these tanks.”
The plans can be viewed by searching for application P25/02691/PIP on the council’s planning website.
