Planning Supporting Statement

The Switzerland Gospel Hall, Switzerland Road, Douglas

I have put forward the answers in this supporting letter, that is required in relation to the Pre Application advice, from Mr Edmond Riley.

• "We will expect applications proposing non-residential uses to explain to us why that proposal would be appropriate for such an area, but also why the use would not be harmful to the living conditions of nearby people".

After months of searching around the Douglas area for a suitable and affordable premises, we found The Switzerland Gospel Hall to be of an ideal central location and situation, it's a self-contained premise with onsite parking for up to 25 cars, which is crucial to the surrounding area and living conditions of the current residents, which completely eradicates the need for any footfall to congest any access, leading up to and around the premises.

• "It would be helpful if you could outline the units you have looked at in the town centres for your intended use and explain to us why each of these were not suitable. (it may of course be that there simply aren't any units suitable- if so, it would be helpful to know this, and why.)"

As mentioned previously, I have looked at many units, including Cooil Smithy, Snugbourough Industrial Estate, Kirby Park farm industrial Estate. These were all affordable and brand new. However, after seeking planning advice, I was advised that it was unlikely that planning would be approved for children and highway safety on an industrial estate. Another premises in central Douglas, on Kingswood Grove was in complete disrepair and therefore not viable. The Gospel Hall is perfect for my business, with the parking and self-contained premises for the safety of children.

• "Similarly, we would welcome information as to why the previous use of the building ceased, when, and whether there has been any interest expressed in its re-use for worship. I note from our records that it was constructed only about 25 years ago and so some clarification on why it has lost its intended use already would be helpful in assessing whether or not we should be seeking to protect the building for that use. I am sure the estate agents would be able to give you some help with this."

Jimmy McWhinnie from DeanWood has advised that it would be very unlikely for an intended use as a similar place of worship, as the present church society has dwindling numbers and that would possibly apply in today's environment with somebody else.

• "We would also want to know the size of the unit and the number of customers that you might expect to receive in any given day".

I have attached a floor plan of internal sizes with a not to scale plan of the layout but all measurements are correct. I would expect to have around 30 students per evening, over a three-and-a-half-hour period. There is enough space with onsite parking with most of the students being dropped off and collected again over an hour and a half later.

• "The increase in comings and goings from the proposed use might have a negative effect on the living conditions of people nearby. As such, any application you submitted would probably be better off including full internal floor plans so we could have an idea as to how many people were likely to visit the site in any given day. We would also need to know the days and hours you would in tend the business to be open".

The increase in comings and goings would not affect the living conditions of the area, students would not be arriving in the day time, during the week and would not all be arriving at the same time. The parents will then be parking off the road and on the premises, completely away from any residents or pedestrians.

The class times would be Tuesday 4.30-7.30, Wednesday 4.00-8.00, Thursday 4.00-8.00 and Saturday 9.00-10.00. I run small classes for children and as you can see have no classes on Saturday afternoon, Sunday, Monday and Friday all day. I also intend to stagger the class times, to give a 15-minute break between a class starting and finishing. I will hold dance exams for the children to progress and achieve and these would be held twice a year over a weekend each time. Again, the students would be dropped off in the morning and collected again at the end of the day.

There is currently two staff, along with myself, that work on different evenings, and again there will be ample parking for them.

If considered necessary, I would be happy to put a mirror in place to assist in the entrance and exit of the onsite parking, and look to paint lines for parking spaces to ensure the space is used to the full potential.

There will also be no adverse noise nuisance from the proposed use of the premises that residents should be concerned about. I have tested the music and none of the music goes outside the building. However, I will look to carry out further sound proofing to avoid any problems arising.

Floor plans are attached.

I am a small dance school, which offers fun classes, aimed at improving fitness and learning to local children. It is a place to be involved in local community events and charity fundraisers and a way to make friends. Having a place, they can come to, to take part in all the above is great for the community.