A planning application to transform the Coulsdon MOT Centre on Marlpit Lane into a vehicle rental site is under consideration by Croydon Council. The existing MOT centre currently employs three full-time staff, and the proposed vehicle rental business is expected to employ six full-time staff.
The Croydon Council Planning Committee reviewed planning application 24/03893/FUL on Thursday, 3 July 2025, which proposes a change of use for the property at 127 Marlpit Lane, Coulsdon, from a Use Class B2 MOT and servicing centre to a sui generis vehicle rental premises. The Director of Planning and Strategic Transport recommended that the committee grant planning permission, subject to conditions. The application was brought before the committee because the number of objections received exceeded the threshold required for consideration by the Planning Committee.
The proposal includes demolishing the existing buildings and erecting a single-storey office building and vehicle wash bay. Plans also include creating new car parking, including vehicle storage, and installing signage. According to the Planning Committee Agenda, the application had been previously withdrawn from the Planning Committee agenda on 22 May 2025, to allow for neighbour notification.
The Public Reports Pack details several key considerations regarding the application. The proposed change of use is deemed acceptable as the site is within a scattered employment area. The proposed buildings are considered to have a utilitarian design appropriate for the site, and the development is not expected to negatively impact the nearby Bradmore Green Conservation Area.
Operating hours are proposed to be 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 12pm on Saturdays, which are considered normal business hours. A noise impact assessment raised no objections from the Council's Environmental Health Officer. The development meets the de minimis exemption set out in the Biodiversity gain Requirements (Exemptions) Regulations 2024, and biodiversity enhancement measures, such as biodiversity enhancement layouts and a wildlife sensitive lighting scheme if external lighting is proposed, can be secured through planning conditions. The proposal includes 28 parking spaces for rental cars and staff, along with two car club bays. The Council's transport planning officer has confirmed the proposal is acceptable in terms of trip generation and highway safety.
The site is located within flood zone 1 but is within a critical drainage area. A SUDS strategy can be secured by condition, with a pre-commencement condition also proposed to secure this. The Environment Agency has confirmed the proposal is acceptable, subject to conditions to secure details regarding contaminated land site investigation and risk assessment, a foul drainage strategy (including foul water from the car wash bay), SUDS designed to prevent direct discharge to groundwater, and a remediation strategy if contamination is found during development, as the site is located within a Source Protection Zone 2 and situated upon a principal aquifer. A Fire Safety Strategy has been submitted, detailing fire safety measures, escape routes, and fire appliance positioning.
The East Coulsdon Resident's Association supports the proposed change of use, but raised concerns regarding potential parking issues, the lack of EV charging points, noise from the car wash, and potential flooding. These concerns are addressed as follows:
- Parking: The report states that vehicles associated with the business should be parked on site.
- EV Charging: The development includes two EV charging point spaces, secured via condition.
- Car Wash Noise: A Noise Impact Assessment estimates the predicted noise level for the nearest dwellings would be 39dB. The Council's Environmental Health Officer reviewed the proposal and raised no objection.
- Flooding: Due to the nature of the proposal, which does not involve significant building works, it is considered that the proposal would not increase flood risk on site, subject to a SUDS strategy secured by condition, with a pre-commencement condition also proposed to secure this.
Chris Philp MP echoed the Resident's Association's concerns, emphasising that vehicles associated with the business should be parked on site.