THEY are the slippery little creatures that got the owners of a car wash all in a lather.

Businessman Amerjit Kalirai had a vision to open his new firm on the site of a former petrol station which is now lying vacant.

But his plans were temporarily scuppered because of the otters thought to be living in the nearby river - and the effect it might have on them.

Mr Kalirai planned to transform the old petrol station site in Bishoptstoke Road into a new car wash, employing eight people.

But he says he was forced to go back to the drawing board and withdraw his plans, get a new ecological survey and resubmit them.

Environmental and biodiversity bosses had raised objections to Eastleigh Borough Council partly with concerns about the impact on the close by River Itchen and the need for an otter survey to look at the effect on the movement of the animals.

The Environment Agency was concerned about pollution risk as it said it was not clear how materials were prevented from getting into the river.

An ecological survey had already looked at badgers, bats, dormice, birds, reptiles and great crested newts, but Mr Kalirai said he had not been told to include otters.

Mr Kalirai, of Green Lane, Chilworth, said there was a need for a car wash in the area and that all the concerns raised had now been addressed.

Although the extra survey cost him more money and delayed the project he said: “I'm an animal lover, it's all good.”

Daily Echo: An otter

He said the otter study has been conducted and although they are found to swim upstream and downstream of the site, it's not thought the car wash will hinder their movement or habitat.

What is more, Mr Kalirai said underground tanks on the site have been taken out of use to ensure there are no accidental leaks from the drainage, which has been desined to ensure no unclean water from the cars washes into the river.

A fence will also be put up to prevent any spray from car washing entering the water.

The new hand car wash and valeting business would operate from 8am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday, and 9am until 6pm on Sundays.

A consultation on the plans runs until February 13.