A planning chief has warned setting up a car wash is not as simple as people think, after planning permission for car washes on two of Bradford’s main roads was turned down.

Bradford Council planning officers have refused applications to turn sites on Huddersfield Road, Wyke, and Harrogate Road, Eccleshill, into car washes, citing the adverse impact on nearby residents.

Since the start of 2012, Bradford Council has received nine applications for car washes. Three have been refused, five are pending and one was granted.

Councillor Val Slater, the Council’s executive member for housing, planning and transport, said the refusals were a result of planning officers taking “all the factors required” into consideration.

She said: “I understand under the current climate, with people struggling with employment, that setting up a car wash does seem a good way of trying to get money.

“On the surface of it, somebody looking at it would think it was pretty simple. All you need is a bit of land and a water supply and you are in business.

“But there are obviously a lot more considerations to be taken into account, particularly on traffic flows and the impact on neighbours.

“Drainage issues are also becoming an increasing issue in this area.”

On Thursday, notice was given of a decision to refuse an application to change a piece of vacant land into a hand car wash at 434 Huddersfield Road. Reasons cited included a lack of parking, which would be likely to lead to vehicles waiting on Huddersfield Road, affecting the free flow of traffic.

The Council also said nearby residents would suffer “general nuisance and disturbance”, and there was inadequate information on issues including drainage, lighting and screening of the site to prevent spray affecting passers-by.

Last Wednesday, planning officials issued a refusal to turn the former Wellington Hotel, in Harrogate Road, into a car servicing, valeting and car wash facility. The notice said the proposal would result in “adverse implications for the amenities of existing residents due to the nature of the activities likely to occur as a result of the proposals and general nuisance and disturbance caused by the activities at the site”.