Plans have been submitted to build a major car inspection and preparation centre in Wooburn Green.

The proposal, put forward by Citygate, outlines the construction of a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) centre at Glory Park, featuring workshops, offices, a photography studio, and open storage areas for vehicles.

Citygate is described as a leading retailer of new and used Volkswagen, ŠKODA, SEAT, and Kia cars. The company said the Glory Park site has been identified as being of high strategic importance to its operations.

Currently, vehicles are prepared across multiple sites and stored at several locations along the M25 corridor, a process Citygate described as “inefficient and unsustainable.”

The company added that the development at Glory Park would represent the first phase of investment in the area.

Citygate also emphasised that it is mindful of neighbouring residents, noting that the proposed scheme would deliver high-quality employment opportunities and make effective use of a long-term vacant site.

The site is currently brownfield land with existing planning permission for offices. The new proposal covers 3.4 acres of open storage land, which will be resurfaced with permeable crushed gravel.

Plans include a pre-delivery inspection centre providing around 16,792 sq ft of employment floorspace, predominantly a workshop with ancillary offices. An additional 1,376 sq ft of ancillary office and breakout space is also proposed.

To reduce the development’s visual impact, new tree and greenery planting is planned around the edges of the site to enhance screening and improve the overall appearance of the area.

The application states: “By carrying out these works, BAM, via the tenant, aim to provide employment on the site for 48 staff.

“The site requires the ability to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week to meet the commercial needs of the market.

“Normal working hours will be limited to 6am to 9pm. All works outside of normal working hours will take place within the pre-delivery inspection centre and its associated enclosed wet and dry valet bays.

“No unloading of transporters will commence before 7am and will only take place on the rear of the site. There will be no vehicle movements in or out of the site between 9pm and 6am, other than staff starting or finishing their shifts.”

Plans also detail the layout inside the centre, it says: “As is standard for an industrial unit, the first-floor core and offices have a relatively small footprint.

“The first-floor accommodation is split across two mezzanines. The south core mezzanine includes additional WC provision, a canteen, office and store facilities for staff, while the north core mezzanine acts as storage for parts and oil tanks required to operate the workshop.”