A CAR wash that has been making the lives of Moordown residents a “misery” for the last five years has been refused planning permission.

After hearing claims the hand car wash on Wimborne Road is polluting the ground surrounding the site and is a “nuisance” for local residents, Bournemouth Borough Council’s planning board unanimously agreed to turn down the application.

In an impassioned speech to the board, Cllr Beverley Dunlop, who represents Moordown, raised concerns about effluent seeping into the ground and polluting the area.

She said she had “serious environmental concerns” and called for further investigation into the drainage at the site and the potential harm caused to the environment.

Cllr Dunlop said residents were strongly opposed to the car wash being granted planning permission but were too “scared” to speak at the meeting in person.

“There is an air of intimidation surrounding this operation,” she said.

She added: “The only disturbance and noise in the entire area is coming from this car wash.”

Cllr Dunlop claimed the council had failed to acquire the relevant information regarding the operation at the site and called for an investigation into the “failing of the planning process”.

James Cain, of JN Planning Consultants, which is representing the applicant, said 200 people had signed a petition calling for the council to grant the car wash planning permission and said the business had created new jobs in the area.

Mr Cain said: “This business contributes to the vitality of Moordown.”

He added: “More locals are in favour of the continuation of the car wash than against it.”

The panel heard the council has already issued three enforcement notices against the business in regards to planning issues.

The plans, which were recommended for approval by the council’s planning officer, included a brick structure to house the jet washes, moving a canopy at the site and blocking off one of the existing entrances.

Cllr Sue Anderson said the business had never been “good neighbours” and should be “shut down”.

Cllr David Kesley, chairman of the planning board, said he would write to the Environment Agency and Wessex Water regarding the issues raised by Cllr Dunlop.

The councillors rejected the plans on the grounds of the noise produced by the jet wash and vacuum cleaners and the negative appearance of the proposed scheme.