By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Proposals for a car wash on a former council-owned car park in Swaything have been thrown out by a planning inspector.
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An appeal was launched after Southampton City Council rejected the second bid for planning permission on the site in Rayners Gardens, Swaythling.
The scheme involved changing the use of the land, putting up canopies, acoustic fencing and office and storage buildings, alongside installing a new drainage system.
Council officers refused permission due to the loss of residential amenity and road safety concerns.
Applicant Mr J Singh submitted the appeal to the Planning Inspectorate in February.
Photo: Google
Government-appointed planning inspector Barry Lomax reached his decision to dismiss the appeal on June 2.
A report by Mr Lomax said the proposed acoustic fence along three sides of the site alongside a central access gate would appear “incongruous” and would not reflect the established pattern of development.
Mr Lomax added: “Moreover, it would give rise to a visually inactive and unduly oppressive frontage, to the detriment of the character and appearance of the immediate area.”
In relation to the impact on neighbouring properties, the inspector said: “The proposed acoustic fence, together with the adjacent canopies, would result in a marked change to the outlook from the ground floor window in the side facing elevation of number 16 (Rayners Gardens), appearing unduly dominant and overbearing by reason of their height, scale and proximity.
The site was previously a public car park managed by Southampton City Council and continued to operate as a private car park under its current ownership.
An appeal statement prepared on behalf of Mr Singh by architect RS Studio said it was believed the second planning application had included the necessary information to overcome the original concerns raised about noise details and a lack of on-site parking.
It added: “While there is an acknowledgment that the local planning authority required further information to make a formal assessment within the latest application, there had been no engagement from the local planning authority during the application process.
“It is assumed a pre-emptive judgement was made upon the application based upon assumptions rather than rely on facts and consultation conclusions.”
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