Car sales site with no planning permission causes outrage

Owner says it's now just storage

A used car business has outraged local councillors and residents after it began to set up a new van sales operation in Mutley.

James Alford, of Platinum Car Centre, started using the derelict piece of land in a quiet housing estate, between Dale Road/East Park Avenue, after he “got the keys to it” more than two months ago. 

He had not sought planning permission to do so and therefore was asked to stop his operation by Plymouth City Council and take down promotional flags.

Mr Alford has now submitted a retrospective planning application to use the land, which has been derelict for decades, for van sales and storage and have an ancillary office building on site.

Cllr Steve Ricketts (Ind) who represents the Drake ward on the city council has described the company’s actions as “completely disrespectful to the local community” with a disregard for planning laws.

“It’s outrageous that someone could set up a business without planning permission. It’s absolute carnage down there with cars and machines, it’s just not appropriate for a residential area.”

He has asked that the city council’s planning committee discuss the scheme should planning officers recommend it for approval.

“The proposed use will result in continuous mechanical and environmental noise,” he said. “This includes jet washers, vacuums, and compressors associated with car cleaning. Vehicles being started, idled, revved and test-driven at all hours of operation.

“The result would be a persistent disturbance, particularly during early mornings, weekends, and evenings, when residents reasonably expect peace and quiet. This is incompatible with a residential setting.”

He added that the increase in traffic poses safety risks to pedestrians, children, and cyclists and would likely contribute to congestion, illegal parking and reduced air quality.

Labour councillor Charlotte Holloway, who also represents the Drake ward, said she had long held concerns about this site location and had personally reported “unauthorised activity” to the authorities.

A previous application for car sales was turned down for this site.

“Respecting the rules is part of respecting the community – and that applies to everyone, including the owners of this site,” she said. 

“This application is not in keeping with our residential community and local people have been clear they don’t want it. I’m standing with them and urging the council to refuse planning permission.” 

Plymouth City Council’s planning department has received around 25 comments about the application from local residents, mostly in opposition. 

One said the density of parked vehicles and the possible contents of the office building was attractive to criminals and there were no security measures in place. 

“This then makes the adjoining residential area a potential secondary target for local and travelling criminals,” they said.

Another said: “This business should be in a commercial location or business park.

“The high level of traffic of vans and cars coming and going increases the risk of accidents. Access to the site is from the narrow back lane which was used by children playing and learning how to ride bikes. This will no longer be able to happen.

“Residents should not be subjected to the noise and environmental issues that this business brings with tightly packed vehicles constantly turning over. However, regardless of this, the retrospective application is completely unsuitable for a quiet residential street.”

James Alford of Platinum Car Centre said his expertise was in cars not property or land and every time he had taken on a site before it had the correct permission on it.

He said his intention had been to set up a new business selling vans but had been told not to by the council.

He said he had now changed his plans to only store vehicles at the site, which would support his main sales business next to the Cherry Tree pub at Ham Drive.

“Hopefully there will be a minimal effect on everybody as it will be a tidy storage area. The site has been derelict for 80 years and has looked horrible as people just put junk there.”

He added that one member of admin staff would be on the site to make sure car alarms didn’t go off but there would be no customers visiting.

He said he had taken flags down and had got mainly positive comments from local residents.