Plans to build a car wash in the town centre of Bathgate, West Lothian, have been rejected by councillors due to concerns over increased traffic flow in the area. The proposed site, located just two minutes from the town centre next to the Simpson Hotel on Whitburn Road, faced opposition from local member Willie Boyle. He highlighted that the addition of a car wash would further congest an already busy road, which is home to fast food restaurants and is close to the Steelyard in the town centre.
The application to establish the car wash on open ground next to the hotel was initially brought forward by Karen Wales of Irvine in Ayrshire. The proposal included plans for a car wash facility, two storage containers, boundary fencing, and parking on the vacant site. Despite arguments by the applicant’s agents that the location was ideal for redevelopment and would enhance the local commercial landscape, planners raised concerns about the visual impact of the development and the lack of submitted assessments for flood risk and drainage.
The site, which is currently used as an informal car park, sits opposite major retailers like Lidl, Aldi, Morrison’s, McDonald’s, and Home Bargains. While the site already has planning consent for an ice cream parlour, councillors expressed worries about the potential increase in traffic and the lack of detailed assessments for the proposed car wash development. Councillor Boyle raised questions about the impact on traffic flow, especially during peak times, and the servicing of the nearby fast food units if they were to become part of the site.
During a meeting chaired by Councillor Danny Logue, concerns were raised about the vague details in the appeal documents, particularly regarding water and drainage plans. The lack of concrete information in the application led the councillors to uphold the original decision to refuse the car wash proposal. Councillor Tom Conn supported this decision, emphasising the importance of providing necessary risk assessments for such developments.
In conclusion, the rejection of the car wash plan in Bathgate reflects the council’s commitment to prioritising thorough assessments and considerations for proposed developments in the town centre. The decision underscores the need to balance commercial opportunities with the preservation of the local environment and traffic management concerns.