A proposal by mechanic Gurmit Singh to establish an MOT test station at his home on Park Drive, Lea, is likely to be rejected following objections from neighbours and local authorities. The application is scheduled to be reviewed by the city’s planning committee on January 9.
The plan to convert his home garage for commercial use has drawn significant opposition from Lea and Cottam Parish Council, a city councillor, and 22 local residents. Concerns centre around potential increases in traffic, noise, and pollution, particularly given the proximity of Lea Community Primary School.
The parish council’s objection highlights the existing on-street parking issues on the narrow residential streets, stating: “Even outside of school opening and closing hours evidence shows that there is still significant on road parking on what are narrow streets, never built to take the levels of vehicular movements that are seen today. Further increases will make this worse both to the detriment of road safety and neighbour amenity.”
A planning officer’s report prepared for the committee meeting notes that while some have claimed the garage has previously been used for commercial purposes, no evidence has been presented to support this claim.
The report recommends rejecting the application, concluding that it “would lead to over intensification of the use of the site” and cause “a harmful impact on the amenity of nearby residential properties” due to increased noise and disturbance.
It also states: “The proposal would see the establishment of a general industrial use within the existing residential area which would be at odds with the character of the existing residential street and would lead to an over-intensification of the use of the site which would cause an unacceptable level of harm to the amenity of neighbouring residents in terms of increased noise and disturbance. Additionally, County Highways advise that insufficient information has been submitted to be able to determine the impact that the proposed development would have on highway safety and parking.”
Source: Preston News
steve coppock
Why can’t he get a proper garage unit like other garages and pay what all other garages pay? Another home mechanic who will probably undercut everyone else
Eddie Bamber
I don’t think I’d like someone setting up an m.o.t station in my street either. Where you live should be kept separate from your business premises – unless you live in a farm or something.