PLANS to build a new hand car wash at a Hampshire supermarket have raised concerns about river pollution.

The proposed development could see a car park valeting and washing facility at Sainsbury's supermarket in Broadcut, Fareham.

A section of the car park in Wallington would be made into a car wash.

The valeting service would include four wash bays, four canopied drying bays, a cabin and the creation of a new drainage channel.

It is anticipated that 30 cars would be washed a day using a total of approximately 1320 litres of water each day.

The car wash chemicals that would be used are also biodegradable.

The proposed valeting unit would result in a loss of nine standard parking spaces and the car park in this area would become a one way system.

However, residents have raised concerns about the risks of chemicals flowing into the River Wallington.

Resident Richard Yorke said: "There might well be an issue with overflow of chemicals into the River Wallington. "We have recently identified an issue that relates to the industrial estate on Broadcut.

"Unidentified chemicals are backing up in a drainage ditch, forming an emulsion that flows on the surface of the River Wallington at times of heavy rainfall. Apart from polluting the water, the smell of the chemicals is noticeable along the river at such times. 

"We need to consider the impact that this may have on the local environment, and the sea, and act accordingly and responsibly."

A decision on the application is set to be made by February 12.