Several neighbours in Oldham have objected to retrospective plans for jet-washing services at a petrol station, saying the car wash is an 'eyesore' that 'interferes' and 'causes distress'. 

In July this year, Two Counties Filling Station, a Shell garage, on Huddersfield Road submitted a retrospective planning application to build two jet-wash spaces.

Blueprints of the plans show the jet wash has been built in two former car parking spaces with a grey steel frame filled with clear perspex plastic sheets.

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The jet wash was installed as of May 1 this year with the opening hours of 12am to 11pm Monday to Sunday, including bank holidays.

However, six neighbours have written their objections to the plans publicly via the Oldham Council planning portal, slamming it as "unattractive", "noisy" and "invasive" to their peace and privacy.

Objectors said the development is "far too close" to residential homes which are suffering "noise, light and chemical pollution from the voluminous spray/mist from the apparatus".

They claim the spray from the jet wash can rise 15-20 feet in the air and is "not restricted by the screens".

Neighbours also say a "tall bright light" is kept on throughout the night which they described as "unbearable" and "beyond belief", being left on "from dusk till dawn".

The jet-washing bays have taken over this spotThe jet-washing bays have taken over this spot (Image: Google Maps)

One objection read: "I live across the road from this car wash and it has caused me distress from the noise and the light is on all through the night. 

"It disturbs my child sleeping, even coming through the curtains.

"My dog [is] disturbed all night by people using the car wash which is causing him to bark all night."

Many also criticised its opening times, claiming its near 24-hour use had seen an increase in "noise and chatter" during antisocial times, particularly from taxis and "boy racers" who are "waking residents" when using the service.

As for its appearance, neighbours slammed the jet wash as "undesirable", "unattractive" and an "eyesore".

Another objector requested the jet wash have constraints of 7am to 8pm every day and to build a high wall or second screen around the area to mitigate the sound and light pollution for residents.

Also at the heart of residents' objections is a concern for trees and wildlife.

Neighbours allege builders "demolished a huge area of well-established deciduous trees" of around 1,000 square metres to make way for the jet wash.

A second objector said they were "perturbed" by the "felling of a vast number of trees" while another said the development led to the "culling" of wildlife.

The retrospective planning application does not detail the removal of any trees.

Studio Tashkeel Architecture submitted a biodiversity statement on behalf of the applicant which stated the site is "physically separated" from deciduous woodland by four metres and, as the woodland is "untouched" by the development, "no trees, shrubs, or ground vegetation within the woodland will be cleared, removed or affected by the construction process".

Oldham Council is yet to give its verdict on the jet wash plans.

Shell has also been contacted for comment.

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk