Published: Tuesday, 3rd June, 2008 10:00am

Girvan taxi firm ordered to stop working from a home

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A GIRVAN taxi operator has been ordered to stop using his flat as his operations base - after neighbours objected to being filmed on his CCTV.

John Woods had used his Kings Gait flat at Knockushan Street as his main office for Coastal Cars.

But his retrospective planning order was last week refused by councillors.

Neighbours had listed a series of complaints including cameras affecting their rights, too much noise, a 'constant' washing of cars outside would create problems with the foundations and his aerial transmitters was affecting their TV signals.

In a letter to planning officers, resident Irene Mackay said: 'On speaking to other residents I have become aware of the problem of the noise that his comings and goings cause to the whole development.

'I am very aware of the CCTV cameras that he has placed outside his window that faces the entrance to the flats and the car park. I am not pleased with this as I feel that it is infringing on my human rights.'

Neighbour Martin Duffield wrote: 'Mr Woods is currently in breach of usage of his residential dwelling by operating a taxi hire business and that he is parking a taxi cab and a taxi micro bus in the car park area, seemingly so parked unless the vehicles are actually out on hire business. I have tried to discuss these breaches of stipulations but was rewarded with the comment "f*** off".'

But Mr Woods alleged that he suffers verbal abuse by a couple in the building, saying: 'It has actually got so bad that I have put my property up for sale and will be moving from the premises as soon as I find a buyer.'

He added: 'I do not see how it can be stated that the taxis create traffic and parking problems for the other residents as I currently own one parking space within the property and I use a guest space when I park my other vehicle. I do not understand how taxis can create a level of noise to the detriment to other residents within Kings Gait as I finish at 8.30pm at the very latest Monday to Thursday and no later than 1am Friday and Saturday.'

He noted that his hosepipe was used by other residents to wash their cars and he now washes his vehicles on the concrete with all the water running down drains.

But councillors at the regulatory panel rejected his bid to keep his business going from home and even installed an enforcement order against it. Girvan Councillor Ian Fitzsimmons said: 'I feel it is not an appropriate place to run a taxi business and go with the officers view for that it should be refused.'

Mr Woods can appeal.