A MECHANIC and dedicated family man has pleaded with City of York Council not to "shut his business down" by making him apply for planning permission.

Sean Coomber has repaired cars at his Heworth home for the last ten years.

A single parent, he fits his working hours around caring for his three youngest children Evie, six, Jack, ten, and Sara, 14.

Sean, of Melrosegate, says he often repairs only three cars a week, declares all his earnings and claims he has never had a complaint against him - until now.

Though all the repairs are done on his drive, he said someone has complained about him leaving a car on the street.

This led to the council telling Sean to apply for planning permission, but, he says, they have told him it is "never successful in these cases".

He told the Evening Press: "I can't believe this is happening. I have a good idea who has done this, they don't live in the streets near here and it is all over the fact they didn't like the place I left a car."

He said that if he closes down he does not know what he will do without his weekly wage. He cannot afford to buy a garage of his own, and needs to work flexible hours so he can look after his children. "I don't know what to do. I just hope something can be sorted out because I need to work. I can't provide for my children if I don't," he added.

Cliff Carruthers, head of development control at City of York Council, invited Sean to contact him to see if a solution could be found. "If someone is repairing their own car at home they don't need planning permission, but if they are operating a business then they do," he said .

"Mr Coomber needs to contact us to discuss whether there is any way for this business to operate from his home without causing a nuisance for his neighbours or those living in the wider area," he said.

Updated: 14:43 Monday, July 02, 2001