Neighbours have welcomed plans to replace a car wash in a 'growing area' with a row of new shops. IMO carwash in Mapperley Plains would be transformed into three news shops with associated car parking, under new proposals.
The car wash sits across from a Sainsbury's Local, Oak House Veterinary Centre and Pets and Friends. Locals praised the plans for more shops, which were seen as a necessity with house building continuing nearby.
Retired Stephen Gell, 67, who lives off Mapperley Plains, said: "Crikey, there's a lot of houses going up so we need more stuff. I guess it depends what shops they turn out to be, though.
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"We could do with some variety in shops. It's a good idea because you've got elderly people who could do with something in walking distance on Mapperley Plains."
The car wash was built in the 1980s and is still in use. Nottinghamshire Live attempted to contact the car wash's manager for comment in relation to the application.
Locals Gina Bassett, 64, and Lina Guertler, 66, both agreed that the increase of housing in the area meant new shops were needed. "It's growing all the time, this area, and with so many new houses you're going to need more shops," Ms Guertler.
"And shops that people would go to very regularly. So people would not have to go into town. A takeaway or a coffee shop would be good next to Sainsbury's. Somewhere where you could sit down and have a coffee."
Ms Bassett added: "There more than enough houses now to make more shops sustainable. There's not a lot around here. So some small units, maybe independent businesses would be good. It's a good space for it, too."
In 2013 the current owners completed the redevelopment of the former Budgens convenience store and petrol filling station into three retail stores. The three businesses at the site have been based there since.
Rosie Patel, 75, who lives nearby, said: "I used to be in the countryside when I lived here but then everything was built around us so now we feel closer to being in the city than we were. This area needs more shops, and some more that are decent. Most we have are coffee shops, they aren't that many shops from here to Netherfield.
"Sometimes there are a few people at the car wash but it's not that busy and it's a big place. It's a good area for it, right next to the Sainsbury's."
A previously proposal, which would have seen the IMO carwash redeveloped into a drive-thru adjoining the current Sainsburys Local on Mapperley Plains, was abandoned in favour of the new scheme. Developers of the site have said the shops would benefit residents now and in the future as the new estates along Mapperley Plains/B684 are completed. A vast estate of more than 100 homes is currently being built off Mapperley Plains, west of Catfoot Lane.
In a planning document, Bridgebank Properties on behalf of applicant Kulbar Atwal, said: "This Local Centre is used regularly by many of the immediate residents of Mapperley Plains as more and more of the new residential developments become completed and for many new residents they are either looking to relocate from the city centre or move to the area from outside Nottingham so Mapperley Plains has become an attractive place to live.
"It appears within any of the current or new developments there does not appear to be any real provision for further convenience shopping and in any event retailers much prefer to be on main road location with other “generators” like a Sainsburys Local rather than in the middle of a quiet residential estate.
"Therefore it is believed that the creation of three retail units will satisfy the obvious demand from a range of retailers who see the need for more shops to serve the growing residential population of Mapperley Plains." The planning application is pending consideration by Gedling Borough Council.
Last year, outline planning permission was granted for new shops to serve the large Chase Farm housing estate, off Arnold Lane, that's transformed the old Gedling pit site. Outline permission means that more detailed plans must be put forward in the future if the plan is to progress. People on the estate had their say on the new facilities they'd like to see.
