An illegal Chadwell Heath car wash that ignored a Barking and Dagenham Council Enforcement notice to stop using the premises for washing cars has been found guilty in court.

Mr Richard Wood, the freeholder of the land, was using the forecourt of an existing car sales outlet as a car washing business without the required planning permission.

In May 2021, the council received several complaints from local residents about the business and the disturbance it was causing.

The council’s Planning Enforcement Team negotiated with Mr Wood of Dell Close, Woodford Green with a view to him applying for planning permission or to cease car washing at the site.

However, by October 2021, no attempt had been made to apply for planning permission or to stop trading. Mr Wood was served with an Enforcement Notice requiring the cessation of use and the removal of relevant fixtures and fittings for the car washing business.

An appeal to the Planning Inspectorate was dismissed in March 2022 and subsequent visits showed the car wash was still operating in 2023.

The case was taken to Barkingside Magistrates Court in July 2023 where Mr Wood pleaded not guilty, however he changed his plea to guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court earlier this month (12 December).

Mr Wood was fined £800 and ordered to pay costs to Barking and Dagenham Council of £5,000. Additionally, a confiscation order was made under the Proceeds of Crime Act in the sum of £16,000.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety Said: “This business was given the opportunity to operate legally but ignored the advice of council officers. Instead, they carried on running the car wash without the correct permissions in place.

“We’re all up for new businesses operating in the borough as long as they follow the rules. This business owner didn’t and is now paying the price.”