A NATIONAL car reseller is only now applying for planning permission to have an office space at a Colchester supermarket... even though works started last year.

Joseph Christian of webuyanycar Limited has applied for planning permission from Colchester Council after submitting an application on April 11.

The planning application, however, is for works which have already been carried out to build an office space outside Asda, in Turner Rise Retail Park, Petrolea Close.

The business purchases second hand cars and resells them across more than 500 locations in the UK.

Gazette: Unit - the webuyanycar office on Asda's siteUnit - the webuyanycar office on Asda's site (Image: N/A)

Gazette: Map - the red square indicates where the office is basedMap - the red square indicates where the office is based (Image: Colchester Council)

The new standalone office building is being used by the company to purchase vehicles from the public - some of which are stored temporarily in the area until they can be moved off-site.

The office takes up 34.56 sq-metres and, according to the application, was built in November last year.

Based on the far right of the Asda car park, it has one full-time employee and is in operation from 10am to 7pm, Monday to Friday.

Essex Highways has reviewed the submitted information, with strategic development officer Phoebe Lawes saying the authority “has no comments to make".

A decision is yet to be made by Colchester Council.