An investigation has been launched into the practices of a car wash and spraypainting business in Tilehurst.
Neighbours have accused Time to Shine Hand Car Wash, on Norcot Road, of operating an illegal spraypainting services without permission.
A car wash on the site has been in operation since late 2018, but the lawful use of the site is disputed, with council planning officers considering enforcement action in 2020. The company has been contacted with comment.
Now, neighbours are complaining again, and have accused the operators of illegally operating a car spray paint booth on the site.
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Resident Jonathan Fairbairn claimed: “The illegal car wash is still in operation without the necessary permits or planning approval.
“In fact, the proprietors of 20 Norcot Road now operate an amateur spray booth that vents cancer causing chemicals directly into the gardens of local residents, also without the appropriate permits or planning approval.
“In March 2023 the owners erected an illegal spray booth without adequate ventilation, approved planning or permits.”
Mr Fairbairn has accused the council’s planning enforcement team and environmental health team of failing to act to resolve the issue.
He added that he and his fellow neighbours feel like they have ‘exhausted all options’ to oppose the use of the site as a car wash and spray booth.
In an effort to get legal confirmation of the car wash, the owner of Time to Shine submitted an application for lawful use of the site last month.
The owner’s planning agents The Keen Partnership has argued that use of the site as a garage and car wash is established, and therefore a legal certificate should be granted to The Time to Shine business.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Reading Borough Council if the car wash is legally authorised and whether it has the required permits.
A spokesperson for the council said: “Operators of spray booths are required to have an Environmental Permit to regulate solvent emissions if they are above a certain threshold in terms of their usage of solvent paints.
“The Council is currently investigating whether the operator of the spray booth in question requires such a permit, and the authorised use of the site is also currently under investigation.
“We are aware of complaints made regarding noise and smell nuisance from the spray booth, and complaints of noise from the car wash, and are investigating these.
“The owner is currently seeking to establish existing lawful use with an application for a Lawful Existing Use Certificate.”
The car wash is located next to the Vesuvio Pizzeria which opened earlier this year.
In April 2021, a plan (reference 200373) was approved to replace a garage on the site with three flats.
However, a planning agent from The Keen Partnership has confirmed that plan will not be enacted as the owner of the site, who also owns the Vesuvio Pizzeria, wants the car wash to continue operating.
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