Car retailer Arnold Clark has been refused permission to build a car dealership, vehicle repair workshop, MOT testing centre and car wash on land on Knowsley Lane in Huyton. The application covered 1.9 hectares of land at Earlsfield Park Sustainable Urban Extension, a £62 million development that includes 154 homes, a retail and leisure hub, and over 20 acres of advanced manufacturing and logistics employment space.
Plans for the Site
The proposed plans featured a showroom building positioned towards the front of the site facing Knowsley Lane, with vehicle display areas, electric vehicle charging points, and parking to the rear. The design allowed for more than 100 cars in the display area, with wash and valeting bays located to the side of the showroom.
Background of the Land
The site was originally green belt land, but in 2016 it was removed from the green belt due to insufficient suitable land for housing and employment development within Knowsley. A master plan for the site proposed a "hybrid employment park" to meet anticipated demand for advanced manufacturing, research and development, and sub-regional logistics.
Council's Decision
Permitted business uses at Earlsfield Park include offices for operational or administrative functions, storage and distribution, research and development, and industrial processes. The planning authority stated that a car showroom does not fall into any of these categories. The council judged that "the loss of this significant area of the site to a non-employment use would result in a significant loss of employment land" and that "the proposal would be detrimental to the wider development of the Earlsfield Park Sustainable Urban Extension."
Public Response
The application was publicised through letters to 52 neighbours, receiving two objections. Concerns included increased traffic and noise, impact on wildlife, and changes to the "outlook and feel of the area." The applicant submitted a rebuttal highlighting economic benefits, job creation, and trainee and apprentice positions, but Knowsley Council determined this did not overcome the fundamental objections.
Other Considerations
The council did find the proposal acceptable in terms of highway safety, noise, residential amenity, and drainage. Arnold Clark was contacted for comment by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
