Ealing Council approved an application for a petrol station in Hanwell to keep its washing machine despite receiving some complaints.

Wyeth Projects Services put forward a retrospective planning application for its outdoor self-service washing machine at the Shell petrol station on Church Road, Hanwell back in February 2024.

The applicant submitted the plans in response to an enforcement notice, as it is understood that the installation of the KIS 'Revolution' Laundrette Kiosk was carried out without planning approval back in 2020.

Prior to the retrospective planning application, Ealing Council received complaints over the outdoor washing machine but the applicant said that the type of complaints have "not been disclosed".

The applicant sought the help of Sound Solution Consultants to create a 'Noise Impact Assessment' for the washing machine as it may be that noise complaints were made to the council from residents over the machine.

The Revolution Washing Machine at Shell petrol station in Hanwell, Ealing (credit: Planning application).

After various sound and noise impact assessments on the site, the report concluded "that noise should not present reasonable grounds for planning refusal."

In its report, Sound Solution Consultants says: "The likely acoustic effects have been established about the lowest observed adverse effect level threshold of the noise policy statement for England, such that noise may be heard but does not cause any change in behaviour or attitude.

"It may slightly affect the acoustic character of the area but not such that there is a perceived change in the quality of life."

The washing machine can only be used from 7am-11pm to control the noise coming from the outdoor kiosk.

This application was granted on 9 May. To read the full application, click here.

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