Locals in a lather over laundrette
But council give it the OK despite objections
Plans to instal a selfservice laundrette at a petrol station in Larkhall have caused a stir in the area.
Nine letters of objection were received by South Lanarkshire Council after retrospective planning permission was sought for the facility at the Shell Petrol Station at 1 Machan Road by applicant Photo-me International Plc.
The modular laundrette facility has been installed in the front of the 24-hour garage next to the car wash which is surrounded by a largely residential area.
The facility is 2.3 metres in height and includes a cube unit with a depth of 2.4 metres and width of four metres and contains three machines of varying sizes in which users can pay to operate.
The applicant is seeking retrospective planning permission, however this was met with nine letters of objection.
Many neighbours said there were already issues with parking, road safety and traffic congestion and say the petrol station, car wash and laundrette can overspill onto the pavement causing pedestrians, prams and wheelchairs to move onto the road.
They stated that the laundrette will only exacerbate the situation.
Others stated that the laundrette would cause further noise and disturbance to the area, as they run their car engines while waiting for laundry.
However, council officials stated in their report: “Given the existing built form on the site (the car wash structure, petroleum filling station with large illuminated canopy, totem sign and shop building) it is considered that the introduction of a relatively small laundrette facility is acceptable and in that it will have a minimal impact upon the visual amenity of the site or surrounding area.”
Councillors agreed that permission was granted for retrospective planning permission at the site.
At the same petrol station a separate retrospective planning application was lodged by applicant H&M Valeting for the erection of extension to existing car wash structure.
An existing lean-to structure has been updated and enlarged with a timber framed and finished structures, to enable the car wash to store materials and to shelter from the elements.
However, the application also attracted letters of objection.
Some stated that there was a noise and smell which was becoming intrusive for residents.
While others stated that the structure was an “unbearable eyesore and is ugly.”
However, planning officials in their report to the committee this week stated: “The proposed extension is relatively small and is positioned behind the existing car washing structure.
“It is lower than the existing structure and does not significantly project beyond its sides.
“As a result it is very much screened from the principal elevation of the site, pedestrians and passing traffic.”
Therefore planning officials recommended that the retrospective planning be granted which was agreed by the councillors.
The introduction of the laundrette facility is acceptable and will have minimal impact