An enforcement investigation has been launched into a new car wash on Harrogate’s Skipton Road.

Plans to open a car wash and valeting station at the former Jewson builder’s merchant site on Skipton Road were put to North Yorkshire Council in December.

They were submitted by a Leeds man but withdrawn in March.

The Stray Ferret was subsequently informed that a car wash was operating at the site without planning permission.

After visiting the site, we asked the council if fresh plans had been submitted for the site and whether it was taking any action.

The council told us no further planning applications had been lodged and it had an “ongoing enforcement case at the site” to determine whether further action was required.

Since then, the Stray Ferret noticed cars being washed at the site on Saturday (October 26), and signs outside saying Skipton Road Car Wash.

A Facebook page under the same name has also been set up – including photos which show a car wash operating. 

Large, colourful flags promoting a hand car wash have been attached to fencing at the site.

When we asked the council for an update on Monday (October 28), a spokesperson said it had “nothing else to add from earlier this month”.

But a letter from the council’s planning department concerning the site, seen by the Stray Ferret, sheds further light. 

The letter says an investigation into a possible breach of planning control has been carried out and that the car wash should cease operating until permissions are in place.

The letter adds a revised planning application is expected and in the meantime it will continue to monitor and investigate the site. 

‘I bought this number on eBay’

The Stray Ferret visited the site again yesterday morning (October 30). Other than the large flags, there was no sign of activity behind the locked blue gates.

We called several people whose numbers were listed in connection with the site, all of whom denied having any knowledge of the operation. 

A man who we were told was in charge of the site denied having any involvement.

Another man told us he “supplies” the site but had nothing to do with the business.

A third person, who also said he knew nothing about the car wash, told us he had "recently bought this phone number on eBay" when we asked why it was listed in connection with the site.