Change of Use Planning Statement

Planning application for change of use of 5 Hailwood Court, Douglas

Q 16 of planning application form.

Location

The apartment is on the first floor, above the premises currently used as a betting shop. The outside communal door is located between the betting shop, on the right, and a pharmacy on the left, and a stairway leads to a first floor landing. No 5 is located to the right of the landing, and there is a dental surgery to the left of the landing, over the pharmacy. There are no other premises accessible from the communal doorway.

Current Use

5 Hailwood Court is a one-bedroomed apartment, currently used for residential purposes. It comprises a private hallway, bedroom, lounge, separate kitchen/dining area, and bathroom. Dimensions and photographs are shown on the attached brochure from the estate agents.

Proposed use

My intention would be to run my business, as a holistic therapist, from 5 Hailwood Court, using the lounge and bedroom as therapy rooms. The bathroom provides toilet facilities for myself and clients, and both the bathroom and kitchen have handwashing facilities for myself. There is sufficient room in the hallway for 2 seats for waiting clients.

The treatments I provide are as follows:

Remedial Massage, Aromatherapy, Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Hopi Ear Candles, Thermal Stone Massage These treatments require a quiet and calm environment, and consequently, noise is minimal. Changes to the premises

I have no proposals to make any changes to the premises other than superficial ones, being decor and furnishing. I may consider removing the storage cupboard in the hallway to provide more space for waiting clients. The kitchen and bathroom would remain as they currently are, and the property would be suitable to be returned to residential use, should this be deemed appropriate.

Working hours

Treatments are by appointment only. I propose to work flexible hours Monday to Saturday, 9am to 9pm

Signage

I propose to put the company name and phone number in removable lettering inside the windows so it is visible from outside

03 Nov 2009

Car Parking

I work alone, however, I would consider renting out one of the rooms to another therapist in a similar profession, which would mean up to 2 cars parked outside if we are working at the same time. If there are 2 clients in at the same time, that could mean an additional 2 cars in the car park. Treatment times are usually between 45 to 90 minutes.

Implications for adjacent residents and businesses

• There are no residential properties that can be accessed through the same communal doorway as No 5, only the dental surgery. The dental surgery has been in this location for at least 10 years.
• The proposed use will create less noise than residential use. The business relies on a quiet environment.
• A couple residing in the apartment could have 2 cars, the proposed use would require up to 4 car parking spaces.
• The pub, takeaway, and shop are all open late in the evening, and most of the commercial premises are open on Saturday and some on Sunday. My proposed working hours would fall inside the opening hours of the current business
• There is no other business of a similar nature in Governors Hill, so I am not in direct competition with any of the other businesses already established.
• My business would provide additional facilities for the residents of Governors Hill, as well as adjacent residential areas.