THURROCK Council planning officers have ordered a local business to clean up its act, rejecting a retrospective planning application for a small, self-service laundrette unit.

The installation has been in place for some time at the Broadway Tyres and petrol service station on the Broadway in Little Thurrock, Grays.

The self-service laundrette comprises three machines for the washing and drying of clothing textiles, with two washing machines and a single drying machine.

The machines units are securely fixed to the ground with a protective cover to the sides and roof for users.

The service provider says disabled access was a priority in developing the designs for the units, with the machines and touchpads at the required height. The units are designed to be economical and eco-friendly, with reduced power consumption (compared to a classical washing machine) and eco-friendly washing liquid.

A statement to Thurrock's planning department in a retrospective application says: "The laundrette provides a valuable amenity to local people as well as providing diversification revenue for existing businesses, helping the existing business to remain viable."

The machines have been in operation since August last year and as part of the council's investigation and environmental officer David Blazer reported: "I have reviewed Environmental Health records and can find no complaints with regard to this use as such I have no comments to make."

However, the council's highways team was less impressed and said: "Having visited the site it is clear that users of this facility do not have a dedicated parking area and obstruction within the garage has been observed.

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"The lack of provision of parking raises some concern as the site is at the busy junction of Cement Block Cottages and Broadway and there are currently parking issues in this area.

"The concern over the lack of parking is that this will potentially relocate onto the public highway raising issues of highway and pedestrian safety."

Under delegated powers, planning officers have now refused the application.