A BITTER battle has resumed between a business owner and residents living next to his proposed MOT garage.
Monza Garage owner Paul Norris has reapplied to Croydon Council for permission to use the land at the southern end of Edward Road for the six-day-a-week garage.
His proposal was thrown out last year by a planning inspector, who backed residents' claims that it would be unbearably noisy.
But Mr Norris insists his latest plans would not be too loud and has put forward a report which he says proves this.
In his submission to Croydon Council, he writes: "The survey was compiled by DM Thomas Esq, who has a masters degree in acoustics.
"The findings are such that the conclusion of the report is that the changes applied for would not give rise to undue levels of noise."
Neighbours have pledged to "vigorously oppose" the new application, saying it would cause "unacceptable impairment of quality of life".
In a joint statement sent out by representative Angela Applin, they said the proposals would cause "significant, unabating smell and air pollution" nearby and "unrelenting industrial noise".
They added: "There are currently several MOT testing centres in Coulsdon, three within five minutes' walking distance of proposed site.
"An industrial site should not be permitted within a residential area, particularly in view of the Coulsdon Masterplan's aims to revitalise and upgrade the centre of Coulsdon.
"The proposed development would detrimentally change the character of an historic Victorian/Edwardian area of Coulsdon.
"Residents are hoping for strong support in opposing this application from the general public, especially people in the Coulsdon locality."
The campaigners said they feared "unacceptable traffic congestion", although the planning inspector did not accept that would be the case.
Mr Norris says, if he gets permission, the garage would open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1pm Saturday.
His application excludes bodywork and spraying, and he has said there will not be any work on Sundays or bank holidays.
Croydon Council is inviting views on the plans until May 23 and expects to make a decision by June 21.
Mr Norris has told the council's planning team in his proposals that the new occupant of number 54 Edward Road "appears happy with the proposal".
