MEMBERS of West Dunbartonshire Council's planning committee will be asked to give the green light to proposals for a car wash, car sales and tyre sales site in Alexandria- despite significant opposition.

Members of the committee will meet tomorrow in Clydebank Town Hall and one of the items on the agenda is a plan to set-up the business at 90-92 North Street.

It's estimated that, if the business takes off, up to eight new jobs could be created.

However, a petition against the plan has been submitted by CATRA (Central Alexandria Tenants and Residents Association) who are opposed to the plan.

But members of the committee will be recommended to grant planning permission, subject to certain conditions.

A report to go before members states: "This application relates to a vacant yard located on North Street, Alexandria.

"The site extends to 0.35 hectares and is bounded by North Street, Lennox Street, Alexander Street and to the east is the Balloch to Glasgow railway line.

"The site is enclosed by a mixture of fencing and walls which are approximately 1.8 – 2m in height.

"In the south eastern part of the site, there is one building, with the remainder of the yard being uncovered.

"The site has been vacant since 2012 when it was last used by a resurfacing and civil engineering company."

But the report warns that the application is subject to a "significant body of

objection."

Planning permission is being sought to bring the yard back into use for car wash,

car sales and tyre sales/fitting purposes.

According to the report there would be "no significant physical alterations" to the yard.

Within the yard, a car sales, car wash, valeting and customer parking areas are proposed and the applicant- Hemen Mohamadi- indicates that the predominant use on site would be as a car wash and valet business- with the car/tyre sales being ancillary uses.

The plans indicate that there would be space for the display of approximately 20 vehicles for sale.

There would also be separate customer parking areas relating to car sales and the

car wash.

The existing building would be retained and used as an office and customer waiting area for all aspects of the business.

The existing access on North Street would also be retained.

Initially, the business would create four full time jobs with scope for the creation of an additional four posts depending on the success of the business.

The applicant has agreed that the business hours would be as follows: (Car Sales) seven days per week (9am – 6pm), (Car Wash/Valet)- Monday to Saturday (9am – 6pm).

However, a petition containing 31 signatures have been submitted, which object to the proposals.

CATRA claim there is already an "abundance of similar businesses" nearby and the

proposal would result in an "oversupply."

They also believe the application is "not compatible" with nearby housing, it will not result in the creation of "high value jobs" and is not associated with green technology and "would not benefit" the local economy and would compete with existing businesses.

They also claim the proposal would "detract from the environment, character and residential amenity" of the surrounding area and "not enhance a route" which leads to the River Leven.

In addition CATRA also claim the site would be better used as a green space, allotment, cultural facility and/or environmental facility.

Another aspect of their objection is that the additional traffic from the proposal will lead to congestion, noise, land, water and air pollution, affecting the health

and wellbeing of residents.

But in its conclusion the report states: "The introduction of a new business to the local area represents an opportunity to enhance the site and contribute to the local area.

"The proposal is an acceptable use at this location and is similar to other nearby uses and their relationship to residential properties.

"The agreement of appropriate operating hours will prevent the site being used without any restrictions thus reducing the impact of the use on adjacent residential properties."

Tomorrow's meeting starts at 10am.