‘An accident waiting to happen’ say locals over ‘devastating’ plans to transform ex-car dealership into MOT garage
LOCAL are up-in-arms over plans to turn a former car dealership into a MOT garage, with one resident claiming it’s “an accident waiting to happen”.
People in Plymouth are furious about submitted plans to turn the ex-Ocean Mini car showroom into a Kwik Fit centre.
The property consultancy firm Rapleys has put in a change of use application for the plot.
Ocean moved its dealership to new premises some four miles away earlier this year and the site has been vacant ever since.
Under the plans, the work will include a “single-storey rear extension and associated external alterations to facilitate Kwik Fit’s occupation and use of the site” but some residents who live near the site are far from happy about the proposals.
More than 30 objections have been received since a public consultation was started with neighbours raising a number of concerns.
One resident has even called the plans “an accident waiting to happen”.
Gillian James wrote: “I strongly object to the proposed change of use at 182 Billacombe Road.
“The noise will be disruptive and environmentally unfriendly.
“The thought of cars being parked in the surrounding streets, many of which have no pavements, would, I feel, be unsafe being used by many children on their way to and from school, and an accident waiting to happen.”
Another objector, Jenna Harding, raised concerns about the impact the new garage would have on mental health.
She said: “I am devastated that this is even an option.
“This area is full of houses, not a place for an MOT garage.
“As previous objections have said, the noise will be awful to live with and parking is also an issue.
“A lot of gardens back or face the building and the noise will ruin the use of the gardens during opening times.
“To have that noise from the MOT garage constantly fills me with dread . Mentally, repetitive noise will not be good for anyone in the area and could possibly effect some residents’ mental health.”
Local resident Ann McManus added: “There has been a problem with parking in this area so I am worried about where the overflow of customers are going to go living next door.
“The main road is already busy with cars and school children use the area and pathway frequently.
“I’m concerned that the increase in activity with vehicles going in and out will mean more accidents are likely to happen.
“The area is rather open here and noise can be excessively loud already so that paired with the noise coming from the garage will be unbearable for the community, meaning people with families and animals will not be able to enjoy their gardens as before.
Full MOT checklist
THIS is the one-stop checklist that will make sure you are prepared to pass your next MOT.
Tyres and wheels – Look out for damage to the sidewall of your tyres and make sure they’re sufficiently inflated.
Use the 20p coin test to make sure your tyres have the right tread depth, which should be 1.6mm all the way around across the central three-quarters of the tread pattern.
The outer edge of a 20p coin will be completely obscured if the tread is deep enough.
Also, be careful space-saver spare tyres could catch you out in the test, so replace them with standard tyres of the right type and size that fit properly before the test.
Lights – Check all of the car’s lights are working properly and are the right colour to pass an MOT test.
Have someone walk around the car and make sure they don’t flicker when tapped which could mean they need tightening or replacing.
This includes headlamps, parking lights, reversing lights, indicators, registration plate bulbs and, on more recent vehicles, daytime running lights.
Wipers and windscreen – Replace wipers that smear because they are probably worn out and top up the washer bottle.
Check your headlight washers if you have any.
Make sure there are no chips or cracks longer than 1cm on your windscreen and remove any stickers that could obstruct your view.
Number plates – Registration plates legally have to be in good condition, tightly fastened to the car and easily read from 20 metres away, so checking these is a must if you want to pass your MOT test.
Doors – Fix any broken doors or ones that don’t stay properly closed.
Front doors need to be openable from inside and out for safety reasons.
General condition – Make sure the exterior of your car is up to scratch.
Any sharp edges or pieces of metal sticking out could cause a danger to other road users and will definitely fail the MOT test.
Inside a car – Your dashboard will pop up with flashing warning lights if anything needs to be fixed under the bonnet like power-steering or brake-fluid warnings.
Make sure you have a fully functioning speedometer or you will fail the MOT test
“This concerns me when I think of the large elderly community we have around the site and I’m worried these individuals are not being thought of, they rely on outside spaces for their own mental health, especially with the majority having mobility issues.”
According to the plans, the site “will be used as a motorist’s centre for the sale, supply, storage and fitting of tyres, exhausts, batteries, shock absorbers, brakes, clutches, radiators, oil filters and steering parts together with any other motorist’s components,” the Plymouth Herald reports.
If given the go-ahead, the site would also be used for “vehicle servicing and repairs”, including MOT testing.
The plans also include a “formalisation of the car park to incorporate 13 total customer car parking spaces (4 relocated and 5 new spaces) including 1 disabled bay”, which would replace the existing forecourt.
The Kwik Fit garage would be in operation between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and on Bank Holidays, with slightly shortened opening hours at weekends.
The application states the hours are “very similar to the former car dealership” and that the proposed development “would have no impact on any nearby sensitive receptors, nor would there be a material change to the impact of the site on the amenities of neighbouring uses.”
A decision on the application will be made on August 2 after an extension was granted by Plymouth City Council.
The Sun Online has contacted Kwik Fit for comment.
It comes after an experienced mechanic revealed the “stupidest” reason for drivers failing their MOT tests.
And drivers could only need to get MOTs for their cars every two years – rather than annually – under new proposals.
