Bradford Council has warned it is still taking legal action against the owners of an “unauthorised” car wash despite the submission of a retrospective planning application The Hand Car Wash, in Coutances Way, Ben Rhydding, has continued operating even though temporary planning permission for the business ran out more than three years ago. And despite landowner Michael Booth, of Safe Hands, applying for retrospective planning permission, which is due to be decided in May, the Council has confirmed it is pressing ahead with planning enforcement action at the site.

Complaints have been received about the operation of the site without planning permission, and a spokesman for the Council confirmed the authority is pushing ahead with action.

“The local planning authority has instigated legal action in respect of the unauthorised car wash,” the spokesman said.

“The occupiers of the car wash premises have now submitted a retrospective planning application to retain the car wash use. The target date for a decision on this application is May 4. In the meantime the Council will continue with the legal action.”

Last night, Mr Booth said he could not understand why the Council was still pursuing legal action.

He said he received an enforcement notice this month and submitted his planning application the next day.

“I don’t see what the Council is trying to achieve here,” he said. “It appears I’m not getting a chance to rectify the situation. I don’t want to go to war with the Council, the Environment Agency or anyone. I just want to comply.”

Last month, the car wash was investigated by the Environment Agency after complaints from Ilkley and District Angling Association about waste water and cleaning products entering the River Wharfe and its site. The Agency confirmed it was happy with temporary steps taken by Mr Booth to address the problem, but now the angling club’s secretary, Barry Moore, and president, Stephen Fairbourn, have written to the Council to object to the planning application.

The angling association owns land next to the site and says it is classed as a Site of Environmental/ Ecological Importance (SEGI).