Plans for a new car wash behind a former Café Rouge could be approved. The site, described as sitting at ‘the gateway to Esher’, would see the empty restaurant’s courtyard parking area transformed into a hand car wash.
The proposals have divided opinion with some welcoming the move, hoping it will help “deter further vandalism and graffiti” while others have raised concerns that it is not the right location and will exacerbate traffic and congestion on an already busy road.
The application for the 748sqm site at the junction of Portsmouth Road and Station Road, would see the parking area used as a car wash with two awnings covering a washing bay and a drying bay, as well as six parking bays. The old Café Rouge building would not be changed.
The applicant, who already operates a car wash business in Thames Ditton, says the new enterprise is in a “useful” location and will also provide local employment. They are seeking an 18-month lease to use the courtyard and have already set up the equipment, according to Elmbridge Borough Council documents, so it can be in operation immediately if planning permission is granted.
The applicant has already set up the equipment so it can be in operation immediately if granted planning permission.
(Image: Elmbridge Borough Council planning documents)
Planning documents state: “There will be no loud machinery as the washing facility will be operated entirely by handheld hoses.” And the applicant has suggested operating hours of 8am-7pm Monday-Saturday, and 9am to 4pm on Sundays.
People supporting the plans said the site is a useful location, away from the townscape but people can still leave their cars to be washed before walking to the station. But some neighbours are worried the proposed one-way car wash will increase congestion towards the high street and station.
“This is not an appropriate business to sit at the ‘gateway to Esher’,” said one woman, objecting to the scheme. She argued the site was too small and any movement would be “tight”.
Another resident, who wrote to the council to raise their concerns about the scheme, added: “There is a lot of pedestrian traffic on Station Road, and this corner could become quite dangerous with the constant traffic.”
Those living in the area highlighted the old Café Rouge building is of “historical significance” and lamented it has “fallen into a state of disrepair and is becoming an eyesore”. Instead, people have suggested the council use the land for a supermarket, or much needed housing.
Many people criticised the addition of another car wash, claiming there are several others in the area. Concerns were also raised that the car wash industry has frequently faced scrutiny over labour conditions and potential exploitation of workers.
Although the applicant highlighted there are no residential properties in the area, workers in the neighbouring office block, Churston House, have raised concerns that the seven-day car wash will “disturb the office environment”.
Councillors will decide on the application, which is recommended for approval, on Monday, January 13 at an East Area Planning Sub committee meeting at Elmbridge Borough Council.