Dagenham residents have voiced concerns over a recently approved car wash on Coppen Road, despite the Planning Committee granting retrospective permission for the project.
The committee convened on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, to review the application, which sought to formalise the change of use of a commercial unit and car parking spaces to a car wash facility. The location is within the Capricorn Centre in Chadwell Heath, an industrial estate that also houses other vehicle service businesses, including an MOT centre and a car body shop to the north, vehicle repair and tuning services to the east and a tyre shop to the south. Objectors raised concerns about the potential impact on these businesses, specifically regarding traffic and parking pressure.
Charlie Gao, of the BFIRST development management team, presented the application, explaining that an enforcement case had been opened in October of the previous year, prompting the applicant to seek retrospective planning permission. The proposal included non-slip paving, drainage, and a metal canopy.
While internal consultees, including LBBD environmental protection officers and BFIRST transport officers, did not raise objections, the application drew 13 objections from local residents. The LBBD environmental protection officers did not raise concerns in terms of the noise and operating hours, and the BFIRST transport team conducted several site visits and did not observe significant disruption or negative impact to the surroundings. These objections primarily focused on concerns about water splash and runoff, as well as increased traffic and parking pressures within the industrial estate.
To mitigate these concerns, the committee approved the application with several key conditions. These include:
- Development in accordance with approved plans
- Hours of use
- Implementation of a site management plan
- Secure by Design certification
- Installation of a splash protection screen
- Installation of petrol / oil interceptors
The hours of operation for the car wash are restricted to:
- Monday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sundays and Bank Holidays: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The committee addressed the concerns about water runoff by requiring the installation of a splash protection screen and petrol/oil interceptors. The site management plan is intended to mitigate potential highway impacts.
Despite the approval, the concerns of residents highlight the challenges of balancing commercial activities with the quality of life in industrial areas. The Planning Committee's decision reflects an effort to address these concerns through specific conditions and ongoing monitoring.
Cllr Muhammad Saleem, Chair of the Planning Committee, thanked the attendees for their participation. The full details of the meeting, including the reports pack and agenda, are available on the council's website.
