FEARS the River Arrow could be poisoned by chemicals draining away from a proposed car wash have been voiced by Studley Parish Councillors on Tuesday night.
As a neighbouring authority, the parish was contacted over the application to site the car wash at Studley Football and Social Club, in Mappleborough Parish.
However the possibility of pollution of the river, which runs right through Studley, immediately raised alarm among members.
“We have the river course that runs 100 yards from this site and if they are using chemicals there is a high probability that you will get water running off and polluting the Arrow,” said Coun Matt Fox.
“There is no control over how they dispose of the water if it’s going to go straight into the storm drain network.”
Concern was also raised over where the car wash would be sited.
“Half the car park is hard standing and half is not and at weekends there are major parking problems in that area, the car park is always full and the A435 is already overleaded.
“We also have another car wash just up the road at the Dog Garage and I would be concerned about where it is sited and how it will be managed.”
Members unanimously agreed to write objecting to the proposal on the grounds of potential contamination of the river due to chemical discharge and the impact this would have on local flora and fauna.
Councillors also rejected an application for outline planning permission to demolish the existing building at 92 Alcester Road and construct eight houses on the site on the grounds of over-development and highway safety on to the A435, saying the new homes would overlook existing properties and there was insufficient on-site parking.
