AROUND 50 people have objected to plans for a temporary car washing facility at a garden centre in Merley.

Locals fear the proposed facility at The Oaks will exacerbate traffic at the busy junction of Queen Anne Drive and Gravel Hill. They also object to the additional development on greenbelt land on which the garden centre is situated.

The car wash would be based at the site for up to three years if planning permission is granted.

The temporary structure would feature a concrete slab measuring approximately 20m x 6m (65ft x 20ft) with a shelter for washing cars. An open area beneath a canopy would be used for drying and internal cleaning, and around three car parking spaces would be provided for people waiting to have their cars cleaned.

Staff would be provided with a small restroom facility.

Simon Munnings, of Dorset Property Surveys, states in the planning application submitted to Poole council that The Oaks has been approached by companies who offer car washing facilities.

“This planning application is for a useful local facility that will be of benefit to customers visiting the shops and café at The Oaks,” he said.

“The garden centre and café encourage a large number of visitors to the site throughout the year. Vehicles are left in the car parks for long periods while customers are shopping or relaxing in the café.”

But resident Maureen Lewis is just one of nearly 50 people objecting to the proposals.

“This is a completely wrong type of facility for this highly residential area,” she said.

Ian Butler said development on the site was “an insidious encroachment and erosion of the standards expected in a residential and greenbelt area”.

“There are plenty of vehicle washing facilities in the area. This is an unnecessary addition,” he added.

One resident said The Oaks was “rapidly becoming a mini industrial estate” and expressed concerns the car washing facility would set a precedent for future “industrial development”.

And Barry Faith said: “The proposal for a car wash is out of character for the area. This is greenbelt and so is not suited for industrial/quasi-industrial use, whether for used car sales or as a car wash.

“I fear this 'temporary' facility will become permanent and so the thin edge of the wedge will be driven deeper into this greenbelt.”