Councillors have rejected a proposal for a hand car wash business in a Wimborne town centre car park on the grounds that not only would it reduce the number of parking spaces, but also because of its impact on the character of the area and on highway and pedestrian safety.

The application by a Mr Orel for the facility in a building at the entrance to the High Street car park accessed down a narrow lane between numbers 5 and 7 in the High Street, was considered by Dorset Council’s Eastern Planning Committee, where officers recommended approval.

But Wimborne members of the committee voiced their concerns that there would be unacceptable conflict between those using the car park and the car wash, since both would have to pass through an awkward ‘dog-leg’ when entering and leaving.

There was no objection from the Highway Authority, and planning case officer Kevin Riley said it was not considered there would be a significant increase in the amount of traffic which already uses the car park. But Cllr Robin Cook asked whether the business would be viable and support the creation of the four full-time equivalent jobs suggested in the application if no increase in traffic was expected. Cllr Shane Bartlett said: “Why would you put a business in a car park and not expect an increase in the number of cars?” He and Cllr Cook also highlighted that motorists entering the car park from the High Street and meeting another leaving the car wash would have to reverse across the busy footway between the extended Aroma Café and the McColls Post Office.

In response to Mr Riley’s justification that it was a situation which already existed and would not be created by the operation of the business, Cllr Bartlett said: “The already poor situation will be exacerbated.” He was also concerned that the car wash building would be in direct line of sight down the lane from the High Street, detracting from the conservation area and the numerous listed buildings nearby.

Cllr David Morgan, who echoed the concerns of his Wimborne colleagues, commented: “It would be better if the building were demolished.” The application proposed extension to the building already existing at the rear of the Post Office which would mean the loss of four parking spaces, but members suggested it would mean more, querying where motorists would queue if the car wash was busy.

They also, in the course of an hour-long debate, asked where cars would be parked to await collection if their drivers had left them with the staff for the wash and valeting to be completed whilst they did other business in the town. The vote for rejection of the application was unanimous.