Swindon car wash application seeks to regularise long-standing site use in Haydon Wick
Council to consider permission for Cross Street Garage operations amid local concerns
Cross Street Garage in Haydon Wick, Swindon, has submitted an application to formalise its long-standing use as a vehicle servicing, car sales, hand car wash, and MOT centre.
Located on Thames Avenue, the site seeks planning permission to continue operations that have been in place since 2009, adding a car wash function in July 2024.
Initially a petrol station until 1997, the site is surrounded by residential homes and bordered by a park and the Shield and Dagger pub.
Mr. S. Nijjar, the applicant, faced deferral in April pending drainage strategy submission, which has now been resolved with no objections from the council's drainage officer.
Despite three local objections concerning parking, traffic, noise, and chemical smells, the Environmental Health team deemed the proposed use acceptable.
Councillor Stanka Wilson drew attention to the commercial nature impacting the residential character, yet the site has operated without recorded highway safety issues.
The planning committee report suggests the addition of the car wash has no unacceptable impact on the existing site or surrounding area, recommending permission subject to conditions.
These include restricted car wash use to the covered areas and specified operational hours.
The application will be reviewed at Swindon Borough Council’s Planning Committee meeting on October 13th.