Planning permission has been refused for a car wash off the A2 at Bapchild because it was deemed too noisy.

Retrospective permission was sought for a hand and valet service at a vehicle sales and repair centre in The Street.

The business opened earlier this year, but ceased for a time after a temporary stop notice was applied to the site in July.

It started operating again, leading to complaints from residents living nearby about the noise.

It was also reported that people waiting at a nearby bus stop were being soaked by spray caused by the centre’s jet washers.

The application was deferred for Swale council’s planning committee to visit the site.

This led to a letter of complaint from Bapchild Parish Council, which was opposed to the scheme, because it was felt the inspection took place at a particularly quiet time and was therefore not a true reflection of how the business was run.

Speaking at a meeting of Swale council’s planning committee, Cllr Monique Bonney, (Ind) representative for West Downs ward, said: “I know we have approved a number of car washes but I do feel this one severely impacts on the residential amenity.

“Neighbours have no let up at all –it’s seven days a week including bank holidays.”

Cllr Tony Winckless, (Lab) for Milton Regis ward, said he also had concerns for neighbours after visiting the site.

“When the vacuums were going they were quite noisy,” he said.

The application on behalf of a Mr Astrit Suli included plans to run the car wash 66 hours a week spread over seven days.

It said the business would create two jobs, although detractors claimed “three to six” people already worked there.

The proposal was refused unanimously on the grounds of demonstrable harm to the neighbouring properties and the visual impact.