Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts. Become a member today
A used car company wants to open a new sales operation on the site of a former coach garage, but residents in a nearby street aren’t happy about it.
GKT Car Sales has applied for planning permission to change the use of the old Perry’s Coach depot at Woodfield Street, Woodfieldside, near Blackwood and, according to residents, have already started moving cars in.
Its application to Caerphilly County Borough Council went in last month and has yet to be decided on. According to submitted documents, the company has argued the change of use would mean less traffic to and from the site compared to when it was a depot.
It estimates that around four car transfers will happen per week due to sales. The company has claimed that customer visit numbers would vary, but that its former site never had more than three visitors at a time.
Residents living on Woodfield Street are unhappy at the lack of consultation.
The first they knew about the car dealer was when they saw the company move in around six weeks ago.
Robert Price, 61, has lived on the street since 1988. He said: “Residents feel let down by the council for allowing this without consultation. We’ve been through this before with the bus company.”
He said floodlights were installed at the site several weeks ago and have been on since.
A previous planning application to build houses on the site was approved in 2010, but no development happened. Mr Price said residents would prefer housing instead of the used car dealer.
Meanwhile, resident Sarah Waters said she worries about the safety of children on the street, including her ten-year-old son, if there is an increase in traffic in the area.
Ms Waters, who has lived on the street for four years, said: “It was done and dusted before we could oppose it.
“We’re not an industrial estate, we’re a quiet street. Not one resident agrees with it.”
Rhianon Passmore, Senedd Member and Labour candidate for Islwyn, has submitted an objection to the plans.
A Caerphilly County Borough Council spokesman said: “The car sales operator has submitted a planning application for the retention of the car sales use.
“We would urge residents to raise any issues or concerns as part of the formal consultation process, so these can be considered as part of the official planning process.”
GKT Car Sales told Caerphilly Observer it is following legal planning procedures and didn’t wish to comment further.
Support quality, independent, local journalism…that matters
From just £1 a month you can help fund our work – and use our website without adverts.
Become a member today