NEIGHBOURS and a school for autistic children next to a proposed new car wash are ‘gravely concerned’ about the traffic and noise it could bring. 

The car wash is planned for the corner of Bull Lane and Eastern Road. Bracknell Forest Council has to grant planning permission before work can begin. 

A petition against it has been signed by 108 flats in the Quarters, the blocks of apartments next door. The Quarters Residents Association objects to the plans, saying it will have a ‘major impact on the overall quality of living’. 

They are concerned about the increased traffic and noise the car wash would bring. There are 12 flats at the Quarters facing the Eastern Road directly, and the Quarters Residents Association said the car wash ‘will create a major loss of privacy’.

Next to the site is the Rise@GHC, a special educational needs school for autistic children. Parents and staff have written to the council to object to the plans. 

Helen Rogers, a parent of a pupil at the Rise, said: “Children with autistic spectrum disorders have sensory issues and this proposed development will affect their learning and cause additional anxiety to them and should not be considered an appropriate development.” 

Councillor Mary Temperton has also objected to the car wash, because of the effect on the children at the Rise. She said: “This site was chosen by the council in a quiet location, to enable Bracknell children to attend a local school.

“The council can now not put their well-being at risk.” 

Council planning officers should decide by August 30 whether to recommend granting permission for the car wash to go ahead. If they do, it will likely go to a planning committee, for councillors to decide whether to give permission. 

The site of the proposed car wash is currently disused, and has been for several years. It currently has permission for B2 industrial use. Stephen Egerton, the agent for the applicant, said: “If the car wash fails, then B2 use continues.”

Mr Egerton said industrial use would cause a lot more nuisance to the local residents than a car wash. Robert Shala, also representing the car wash, said it was ‘unbelievable’ that residents and parents were concerned. He said: “Do they not having anything better to do?”