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A used car company has been granted retrospective permission to continue using a former coach depot.

GKT Car Sales applied for a change of use to the former Perry’s Coach depot at Woodfield Street, Woodfieldside, near Blackwood. Despite residents’ objections, it had already been using the site for its business for a number of weeks.

Caerphilly County Borough Council received 26 letters of objection to the planning application, but planning officers recommended it for approval.

Concerns raised included access to the site, an increase in parking, and the use of floodlights at the site.

According to submitted documents, the company argued the change of use would mean less traffic to and from the site compared to when it was a depot.

The first residents knew about the car dealer was when they saw the company move in around the beginning of March.

The planning report, considered by the council’s planning committee, said the site had not been abandoned, in planning terms.

Chair of the planning committee Cllr Roy Saralis said: “It is practically on my doorstep and I know a great deal about the activities that have taken place previously with the bus company.

“It’s not just the number of vehicles that will be passing through the street.

“What concerns me is when people come to visit this car site people are totally unaware of the potential dangers on this site.”

Despite the concerns, the planning committee approved the application.

A repair building on the site will be retained, while the rest of the site will be used for car sales and parking.

There will be 26 spaces for car sales, six for visitor parking and one for staff parking.

Vehicles for sale will be transported by the operator individually when purchased.

Additional reporting by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.