A PLAN to use 12 parking spaces at the Orbital Shopping Park for a car wash business has won the support of planning officers – but it must still be given the green light by borough councillors.

The Car Wash Company has asked for permission to use water-free car washing in the west car park, near the Lidl supermarket.

The application has been called in by ward councillor Vinay Manro, who was concerned about the loss of parking spaces and noise and the impact of the work on people living nearby.

But planning officers say they are content with the plans.

Their report to the planning committee members says: “The applicant submits that the car washing is done through an environmentally friendly waterless product, containing no toxic or harmful chemicals.

“The cleaning operations include vehicles being sprayed with a waterless product, which is then removed from the vehicle by a microfibre cloth. The operation requires no access to drainage, drains or water.

“Following concerns raised by officers and Councillor Manro, additional details were submitted clarifying the impact on parking, highway safety, drainage, and noise, and the siting of the car wash. Officers were satisfied with the additional information submitted and no further consultations were required.”

The council’s highways officer said the land is private property and it would be the job of the owners or managers to make sure traffic to the car wash ran safely and easily.

At a planning meeting on Tuesday (6pm), members of the committee are also recommended to give approval to the council’s own application to build a bank of earth – or bund – to protect the development at Wichelstowe from the noise of traffic on the M4. The bund is a condition of the planning permission to build the Wichelstowe expansion.

The matter is only being considered by the committee because all applications must be heard in public.