Posted online: Feb 18th, 2010

Councillors have called for a tough stance to be taken on any new car-wash premises that are not complying with planning conditions and not paying rates or water charges.
And this could include turning off water supplies to those who are not meeting all their obligations.
In recent months, several new “stand-alone” car-wash operations have sprung up around Letterkenny, spurred on by dirtier than normal roads due to bad weather and gritting.
However, while the entrepreneurial spirit has been generally welcomed, concern has been expressed that some of the operators may not be paying the full costs associated with businesses of this nature.
The issue was raised at a reconvened monthly meeting of Letterkenny Town Council by Cllr. Dessie Larkin. He felt that the onus was on the council to ensure that there was a level playing field and that all operators were complying with the need to pay rates and water charges, and to comply with employment acts.
He recognised the fact that one car-wash operator was applying for what is known as a retention of planning permission. This amounts to an application for a formal approval of a business that is operating despite the fact that it currently does not have approval from the planning authorities.
Cllr. Tadhg Culbert also raised concerns about the disposal of effluent in a proper manner from some of the new operations. He said that operators must adhere to the planning regulations and called for anyone not doing so to have their water connection cut-off.
Cllr. Gerry McMonagle agreed that the “best way” to deal with anyone operating outside the law was to cut their water off.
Co. Manager Mr. Michael McLoone stated that there is an established procedure for dealing with the enforcement of the law in relation to unauthorised developments. He said that he would bring a report on the matter back to councillors for their next meeting.
However, he added that he was still sending out a very clear message that the local authority was taking this matter very seriously.
“Anyone conducting an unauthorised development will feel the full rigour of the law,” he declared.
There were also suggestions at the meeting that some car-wash operators may be getting their water from domestic supplies rather than commercial ones.