A HAND car wash next to Cutteslowe Roundabout could continue for another six months while plans to build flats on the site are considered.

The parcel of land in Banbury Road has been used as a car wash since before Christmas.

It sits next to two houses - 472 and 474 Banbury Road - which are currently vacant and have most recently been used as a Thames Valley Police community office.

But plans to demolish the buildings in favour of a block of nine flats have been submitted by Keble Homes Ltd.

In the meantime the car wash applicant Dragan Ustic has asked Oxford City Council for retrospective planning permission to continue to operate for another six months.

Cars enter at the end of Banbury Road, drying and washing takes place inside one of the buildings, and exit on Elsfield Way A40.

Mr Ustic's application said: "The continued use of the hand car wash would not give rise to significant concerns about the living conditions of occupiers of adjoining premises and nearby residential properties with particular regard to noise and disturbance.

"It should be noted that no complaints received during the operation of the hard car wash over the last few weeks."

He added: "It is considered reasonable and necessary that the proposal be recommended favourably but subject to six months temporary permission until the redevelopment of the site is being finalised."

A decision will be made in March.