Plans for car wash on former Southampton council car park

Applicant Mr J Singh purchased Rayners Gardens car park from the local authority in 2022 and previously had permission refused to build a car wash in December 2023.

The new application's design and access statement says that previous plans were thrown out due to the lack of a Noise Impact Assessment and a lack of welfare facilities for staff.

Noise was a concern for Rayners Gardens residents who objected to the 2023 plans, with one local saying that "amplified music" and "pressure washers" would be "constant during operating hours".

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The new application addresses these concerns by noting that washing areas will also be "enclosed with an acoustic fence screen" to reduce noise.

The current proposal will also use standard power sources of jet washers and vacuum cleaners, rather than a generator like in the last plans.

No objections have been left on the latest application.

The location plan submitted in the application. (Image: Southampton City Council Planning Portal) A design and access statement submitted argues that "demand for hand car wash use is high", noting that there is only one other hand car wash in a 1.8km radius of the site.

Since purchasing the site, Mr Singh has screened it off and used it to park privately owned vehicles.

The car park neighbours a block of flats to the south and a house to the east, but Rayner Gardens itself is described as a "residential cul-de-sac" by the planning statement.

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Objections to last plans argued the car wash would be "completely out of character" in the "residential neighbourhood".

The plans are submitted as Southampton City Council's proposal on the future of Amoy Street car park closes.

Both the north and sections of the parking spot could be sold off as part of the council's Asset Development and Disposal Programme. 

Councillor Sarah Bogle suggested that housing could replace the 54 space car park.

She said: "While it will depend on the feedback we receive from residents and any potential purchaser, it could provide much needed new homes or other development opportunities for the Polygon."