A Dudley councillor has called on the council to take action against a car wash which has continued to trade, despite planning permission being rejected.

5 Star Hand Car Wash on the site of the former Tomlins car sales pitch on Birmingham New Rd in Woodsetton began trading in May 2023, without the necessary permission to legally change the use of the site.

Retrospective planning approval was rejected by Dudley Council last December, following a flurry of objections from local residents, but despite this councillor Adam Aston says the car wash has continued to operate.

Councillor Aston said “When the car wash opened, I was inundated by local residents concerned about the impact this would have, particularly with regards noise nuisance, poor drainage and the potential for cars queuing onto the dual carriageway.

"Despite the Council refusing planning permission, the car wash is still operating as normal.

"I’m calling for proper enforcement of this clear breach of planning approval”.

He added: "I would support any local business, but changes which may detrimentally affect the local community must be made legally and with the proper planning permission in place."

A report by council planners recommending the application be refused stated it was "too close to the residential properties, to be able for the use to operate without having a detrimental to the local environment."

It adds: "The application is recommended for refusal and for enforcement action to commence."

One objection from a neighbour in Perkins Close stated: "The amount of noise coming from the site due to jet washing, hoovers, car horns, engines roaring, doors slamming, shouting and music playing is very disturbing we are unable to enjoy the summer days as we are having to close windows and doors and cant generally enjoy being outdoors as the constant noise that we are currently putting up with at all hours of the day starting from 8.30 until late into the evening."

Dudley Council leader Patrick Harley said he was "appalled" the issue hadn’t been raised by ward member Adam Aston straight away so that enforcement officers could intervene.

Helen Martin, director of regeneration and enterprise at Dudley Council, said: “We have received a complaint regarding a potential breach of a planning decision and are investigating the matter to determine our course of action.”