Why is Reo Car Sales in Abertillery applying for retrospective planning permission after five years? Learn the facts and implications.

A used‑car dealership in Abertillery, Wales, has been running for five years without the required planning permission, and it is now seeking retrospective approval.

Background to the application

Reo Car Sales operates from a unit on the Cwmtillery Industrial Estate. The site was originally used by Gavel Auctioneers Ltd as a car auction house, and Gavel remains the landlord. In November 2021 the premises were taken over by the locally owned Reo Car Sales, which specialises in the sale of quality used vehicles to customers throughout Blaenau Gwent.

Planning contravention notice

The council issued a planning contravention notice on 11 December 2025. Following the notice, the development management team, led by Joanne White, advised the dealer to submit a retrospective planning application in order to regularise the use of the property.

What a retrospective planning application entails

Reo Car Sales has submitted a proposal that seeks to change the classified use of the unit from B2 (General Industrial) to Sui Generis (Car Sales). The application argues that the current use is compatible with the surrounding industrial context, meets highway safety requirements and aligns with local planning policy.

Impact on the local economy

The planning agent, Paul Parsons of Creation Design Wales, highlighted that the business provides local employment and supports the reuse of an existing industrial unit. By offering vehicle sales within the county, Reo Car Sales reduces the need for residents to travel outside Blaenau Gwent for a similar service, thereby contributing positively to the local economy.

Next steps for Reo Car Sales

If the council grants retrospective consent, the dealership will be formally recognised as a lawful use of the industrial site. That outcome would allow the business to continue operating without the risk of further enforcement action and would confirm its role in the local market for used cars.

Further resources

The original story was published on Car Dealer Magazine.

Can a Used Car Dealer Operate Without Planning Permission? The Reo Car Sales Story