Residents dismayed at plans to open a hand car wash in a busy area of Faversham have urged developers to “leave our town alone”.

“Redundant” land to the rear of the Multisave building in Market Place could be transformed under the proposals.

It was formerly the delivery area for Woolworths, but has been abandoned since the branch closed in January 2009 when the company went into administration.

People in the town have raised concerns over the proposed felling of a semi-mature tree and an increase in traffic in an already congested part of town.

But in papers submitted to Swale Borough Council (SBC), applicant Mr Kazemi argues his project would bring people to Faversham and “contribute positively” to the area.

He told planning chiefs: “[We] are hoping to use this mostly redundant site, offering a service to the local community within the centre of the town.

“This would contribute positively, encouraging visits to the car park, adding a cleaning service to a single journey whilst customers can make use of the local businesses in Faversham high street. The development proposed is a sensitive solution, providing a necessary service.”

However, to accommodate the new business, a nine-metre-tall semi-mature sycamore tree will have to be felled.

There are also concerns over the location of the business and the potential discharge of chemicals.

One resident, Colin Adams, asked on social media: “Why, oh why can’t they just leave our Faversham alone?

“It’s been here for hundreds of years without it being destroyed, and now they want to start tearing it down and removing trees all for the sake of a car wash.

“If they want a car wash, put it over on the new-builds – see how they like it over there.”

Ann-Christin Thompson said: “A car wash does not need to take up space in a prime central retail site but can be situated on the outskirts of town. Potentially there may be queues to the car wash which would block the entrance to the central car park.”

Meanwhile, Penelope Courtney argued the area is “too built-up” and the new business would cause “unwelcome congestion”.

Swale and Faversham town councillor Hannah Perkin told KentOnline: "I want local businesses to be able to thrive in our town centre but this does seem like an odd location for a car wash.

“The town council has also worked hard to protect our street trees and this application includes the removal of one tree and threatens another established and beautiful poplar.
“We have to protect our street trees.”

If approved, the car wash would create four jobs, handle three vehicles at a time and be open from 8am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.

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It is the latest effort in recent years to transform the “visually poor” site.

Last year, plans to demolish the building and replace it with a four-storey complex boasting 23 apartments and a new shop were suddenly withdrawn.

The project was put forward in 2023, but was met with criticism as it would not be “in keeping with the historic town centre”.

The Faversham branch of Woolworths closed in January 2009 after the firm went into administration.

More than 1,000 people signed a petition against the closure of the town's store.