Controversial car wash plan blocked again at Melton town centre car park
Controversial plans to set up a hand car wash in a Melton Mowbray town centre park were yesterday (Wednesday) blocked for a second time by councillors.
The scheme was once again earmarked for land behind the former B&H Midland Services building on the corner of Scalford Road and Norman Way – a similar proposal was refused by the borough council’s planning committee in November 2025.
The same applicant, Marco Carrelli, submitted amended plans which this time omitted an access on Scalford Road and a freestanding metal structure, which were both cited as reasons for the previous refusal.
Councillors considered the new proposals at their latest meeting which provided for a single access from the existing route to the car park via Soho Street and a more ‘modest’ canopy in place of the previous planned metal structure.
Planning officials were recommending the new plan for approval but committee members unanimously voted to refuse on the grounds that it would adversely impact the town’s Conservation Area, the pollution it would create and the noise and traffic concerns the car wash would provide for elderly people attending sessions at the nearby Age UK Gloucester House community centre.
The proposal provoked 139 letters of objections from members of the public, who gave a range of reasons associated with it being the wrong location for a car wash.
Rhonda Fazackerley, resource centre manager at Gloucester House, told the meeting that the noise would mean they could not use a garden area during sessions for people with dementia.
She said: “I strongly object to this jet wash.
"My main concerns are traffic, pedestrian and highway safety and the noise.
"With over 400 visitors a week – many of them frail or with limited mobility – I’m concerned that queuing or vehicle manoeuvring could obstruct access to Gloucester House.
"What happens if a community bus or emergency vehicle needs access?”
Several representatives of town wards registered objections to the plans and one of them – Councillor Sharon Butcher – told the committee it should not be allowed because it went against the council’s adopted town centre design guide and it would detract from the appearance of a major gateway into Melton Mowbray.
Ward member Councillor Margaret Glancy said it would be out of keeping with the Conservation Area and she highlighted the scale of public objection to the plans.
Phil Dylan addressed the committee as a local resident, telling members that pollution was a major concern.
He said: “We’ve already got one car wash, we’ve got three jet washes and three car hand washes.
"They might start out shiny but they are going to get dirty.
"It’s going to look awful for Melton.”
Planning chair, Councillor Chris Evans, proposed refusing the scheme, stating: “I can see no merits of a car wash in a Conservation Area.”
It was seconded by Councillor Elaine Holmes and all members of the committee voted to refuse.
Leicestershire County Council Highways had no objections to the proposed access and the borough council’s conservation and environmental health officers reported there would not be grounds for refusal.
The building adjacent to the proposed car wash has been vacant since December 2023 when the family owners of the printing and engraving business retired after 52 years operating there.