The controversial car wash that sparked a host of objections last year has now been moved away from a Grade II listed building.

The owners of Commercial Motoring World (CMW) in Ferry Approach caused a stir in the town last year because the owner of Grade II listed Castle Hill House, directly behind the site, claimed that chemicals from the car wash were damaging its structure.

Despite this, district council planning officers granted the service retrospective permission as long as it was moved away from the building – which was upgraded to Grade II* listed during the long-running saga.

Concerns were also raised about its operation in a conservation area which is deemed of important historical interest to the town.

CMW’s owners changed all the water piping and electrics to the other side of its site, and Dover Harbour Board supplied a crane to lift the car wash cabin from one end to the other.

Owner Daniel Funnell said: “It is all resolved. We are away from the listed building now.

“It all went well, we had Dover Harbour Board come in with a crane and move the cabin.”

The sound of vacuum cleaners has now also been dulled as they are encased in boxes and the equipment is now electric instead of diesel.

The pumps and a waiting area are now at the other end of the site, parallel with the Castle Street traffic lights.

Mr Funnell has said that, despite the battle with complaints last year, the outcome has been positive for business.

“It has been quite good now we have done it,” he said.

'It is a better system and we are able to get more cars in.' - Daniel Funnell

"It is a better system and we are able to get more cars in. "Before we could only get five in but now we have new bays so we can fit 10.”

He also said a new hot snow foam had been introduced, which meant car washes were quicker.

Developer Bond City, which has begun regeneration to the St James’ Development across the road, was one of the objectors to the car wash due to the traffic it might generate, backing up onto the A20.

But Mr Funnell hopes that the car wash being over the other side will avoid that.