Telford and Wrekin Council are moving to close down a car dealership in Hadley after receiving complaints that the business is a risk to shoppers’ health and safety.
Junction 6 Motors, which is also known as Budget Vehicle Hire, has been issued with an enforcement order after it continued to park vehicles on the pavement on High Street without planning permission.
Councillor Steve Bentley, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “Following a decision by Telford & Wrekin Council’s Plans Board to refuse planning permission to allow vehicle sales, the council served an enforcement notice on the company in May.
“The company appealed against the refusal of planning permission but the planning inspectorate did not proceed with the appeal after the company failed to provide additional information that had been requested.
“The council is now proceeding with enforcement action.”
Councillor Pat Smart, Chairman of Hadley and Leegomery Parish Council, described the business as a “wretched nuisance.”
She said: “The business used to be a van hire company, back then we had no problems but then suddenly over night it turned into a car showroom.
“They have extended onto the pavement, next to the plastic recycling bank and into the car park and we have very few bays as it is.
“My view is that the business should be removed – it is dangerous, especially on market day. I hope to god that no shopper has a heart-attack in the town centre because the ambulance will not be able to get to them.
“I do not see why local people should be endangered because of someone’s commercial interest.”
However Gary from Junction 6, who preferred not to give us his surname, said the business was good for the area.
“We only do things that are positive,” he said. “We bring a lot of people into the area and all the other businesses here benefit.
“We’re not doing anything wrong. We have spoken to the police and they say the cars are fine there. It is chaos around here at times but that is because a barrier has been put up at the community centre, so cars can’t park there – it isn’t anything to do with us.
“If we are that much of a nuisance then we will move them – all the council has to do is ask.”
