Residents and councillors in the English town of Lymm have successfully lobbied planners to reject a proposal to prevent its local truckwash from expanding.
Lymm Truckstop, which opened in 2018, is located nearby the M6 and M65, making it an ideal spot for truckers to get their vehicles cleaned. It currently enjoys a reasonable rating of 3.9 on Google Maps.
According to the local press, Warrington Borough Council planners said there was no reason to justify building on green belt at the site on and noted the proposal would have had an adverse impact on those living nearby.
It is reported that the truckwash has caused “serious traffic problems” due to HGVs queuing on the main road and performing three-point turns on the A50.
To remedy the issue, Lymm Truckwash submitted plans to expand the site, install a fuel bunker and operate 24 hours a day, arguing that the changes would cut queues of HGVs. However, they have now been rejected following complaints by two councilors and a number of local residents.
Councilor Tim Martland of the Lib Dems was among those against the proposal. Commenting on the decision, he said:
The residents of the Lane End community at the top of Cherry Lane have been incredible in the amount of effort they have put into this campaign. Cllr Anna Fradgley [Tim’s fellow Liberal Democrat councillor] has been helping them build their case against the development since last spring. Protecting our green belt against inappropriate development is one of the issues the Liberal Democrats are passionate about. When I heard of the potential effects on air quality and the light and noise pollution, I added my support to the campaign. Families with young children live close to the facility and would have been adversely affected by more HGV traffic.
Lymm Truckwash has reportedly appealed against the decision.
Photo credit: Lymm Truckwash