A trailer company’s plans to repair cars have been scotched after neighbours objected over noise worries.
The site currently used by Dovetail Trailers in Fletchers Lane, Sidlesham, has been used for the assembly, adaptation and repair of trailers up to 3,500kg for more than 20 years.
But after it applied to also repair and service cars there, neighbours objected, saying it was an attempt by the owners, Mr and Mrs Sheen, to increase the value of the site as they are selling it.
Last week, the application was rejected by Chichester District Council.
One neighbour, Nick Gordon, who lives directly opposite, said: “I am very concerned that the new planning application will, as Mr and Mrs Sheen are moving, give the new owner carte blanche to make the site far more industrial to the detriment of the residents of the road.
He added: “More industrialisation of the site will have a direct impact to myself and my wife by way of the increased levels of traffic and noise which would be completely unacceptable.”
Another, Jonathan Jones, said: “This application is a blatant attempt to increase the value and attractiveness of the house by providing for a viable business on adjoining land.
“There is absolutely no value to the residents of Fletchers Lane in having a commercial trailer repair and/or car repair business on this site.
“The only beneficiaries will be Mr and Mrs Sheen who are moving from the area and happy to leave their neighbours with the legacy from this planning application.”
A statement submitted with the application said: “In relation to the car repair and servicing use, it is directly comparable to the trailer use in relation to tools used, hours of working – and number of vehicles worked on per week would similarly be a maximum of 10.
“It should be noted that many car repairs are now electrical and the vehicles worked on increasingly include electric and hybrid cars. Such works are computer based.”
But planning officers refused the application, stating the site was outside the settlement boundary in an area where development would only be allowed if it met ‘an essential, small scale and local need’.
As well as not being able to demonstrate such a need, officers felt Dovetail Trailers could also not demonstrate that there would be no material increase in noise, traffic movement, or soil, water, odour and air pollution.
To view the application, log on to publicaccess.chichester.gov.uk and search for 24/02188/FUL.
