From: redacted Sent: 12 February 2020 18:20 To: DEFA, Planning Subject: Application Number 19/01455/C Attachments: Unit C2, Reply for concerns raised of planning application.pdf

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Dear Sir/Madam,

Please find my attached reply for concerns raised against the change of use application (No: 19/01455/C) for Unit C2, Eden Business Park.

Please don't hesitate to contact me if needed.

Many Thanks [redacted]

Department of Planning Department of the Environment, Food and Agriculture Murray House Mount Havelock Douglas Isle of Man IM1 2SF

11th February 2020

Dear Sir / Madam

Application No: 19/01455/C Proposal: Change of use to Small Animal Hydrotherapy, Rehabilitation, Conditioning Centre. Address: Unit C2, Eden Business Park, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM4 2AY Applicant: Mr Lee Graham Paul France Re: Addressing Concerns Raised from both Neighbouring Units C1 and C3.

Dear Sir / Madam

I write to address the concerns raised by the neighbouring units C1 and C2. As both parties produced and raised near Identical concerns I will address them both as a whole.

Firstly I will start by stating that as the business and potential building owner, it is in my interest to maintain the structural integrity of the building. The specialist equipment will be installed by specialist companies. The equipment will be very expensive items, therefore keeping them at optimal performance and condition is a must, as this is my livelihood.

As a professional it is a high priority for myself to ensure the health and safety of myself and others, therefore any chemicals used will be kept and stored appropriately and safely in accordance with the Health and Safety at work act and COSHH regulations. All treatments will be carried out by competent and trained professionals in areas of water management, water treatment and water testing processes.

Concerns with regard to Chlorine.

The cleaning agent that I will be using to sanitise the water is called Bromine. Bromine acts in the same way as chlorine but without any of the negative side effects. Bromine is near odourless and has no corrosive reactivity with metal components or surrounding materials.

Chlorine is also completely safe when used correctly and the appropriate precautions are taken into account and put in place. Even if chlorine was to be used the levels at which it would be needed for my particular use and pool size would not be noticed or have any effect on any neighbouring businesses or surroundings.

Concerns with regard to the Pool and Moisture.

The pool itself will be sourced from one of Europe's leading suppliers and who are specialists within this field so I have full confidence that the structural integrity and build quality of the pool will be of the highest standard as well as the practicality for its use and surroundings. Like all equipment the pool will also be installed by the necessary, experienced, qualified specialists. HydroPhysio have great examples of the types of equipment and pools used for this type of service.

Whilst malfunction is highly unlikely, there will be precautions in place as well as moisture and damp controls, such as,

1. None slip, waterproof floor lining that will continue up the walls enough to contain any spillages, leaks or any resulting standing water.
2. All the walls will be covered with PVC either in sheet or cladding form.
3. The pool is covered when not in use and between uses to limit rising moisture.
4. Appropriate and sufficient dehumidifiers will be installed as necessary.
5. The pool will not be installed hard up against walls as it will in fact sit in a half a metre-wide frame keeping the pool independent to the structural surroundings.
6. The shower room will be exactly as it says it is... A shower room and will be constructed as most shower rooms are, as a complete wet room with sufficient drainage.

Concerns regarding Noise of equipment.

It is of the utmost importance that I create a calm and quiet environment while treatment is taking place, therefore the equipment and plant used within the facility, needs to reflect this.

As shown on the plans, both the plant and drying areas are enclosed rooms. To put this into figures I will go through some of the equipment and the average decibel levels they run at.

1. Pool Pump. The filtration pump that would be used runs at an average of around 52 decibels when directly next to it. This will be in an enclosed room as shown giving further noise reduction.
2. Treadmills. As stated in my supporting written document, only one client is treated at a time therefore the two treadmills are unlikely to be running in tandem. Any person that has ever been to a gym should know that treadmills themselves aren't actually very loud when in operation (producing an average level of 50-60 decibels) and it is in fact the users limbs impacting with the equipment when used at a high level that creates more noise. These animals are mostly attending sessions as a result of injury, post surgery or underlying medical issues so will only be able to achieve low levels of operation. Think a nice walk rather than training Usain Bolt.
3. Drying Equipment. Any dryers used, again as shown in the plans are in enclosed rooms which will again attenuate any noise levels produced. That being said even in close proximity they aren't as loud as what people may think, with average levels of 58-62 decibels when running.

To put some of these figures in to perspective with day to day life, the noise level produced from an average conversation between two people stood three feet apart is about 60 decibels.

To give a few more comparisons;

• A normal household hair dryer – 80-90 decibels
• Average washing machine – 74-77 decibels
• A vacuum cleaner – 70 decibels
• A dishwasher – 60 decibels
• Moderate rainfall – 50 decibels

As you can see any noise levels produced from the day to day running of the facility would not be excessive by any means and hopefully these figures and comparisons will have given a reasonable perspective and would ease any noise concerns.

All the equipment that will be used are manufactured to be used by animals, taking into account their noise sensitivity.

As explained in my original submission, the space requirements for my business, to accommodate the hydro treatment pool and animal gym equipment, in a location where injured animals can be brought to the door of my facility in owners’ vehicles, makes the proposed unit the ideal location. Being centrally located on the island will also allow my business to flourish and, in time, allow me to employ additional staff.

The use I am proposing, as demonstrated above, will cause no harm to adjoining property owners and businesses.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I am more than happy to meet with the adjoining property owners if they want to find out more about my proposed use.

Yours Faithfully,

TheaPaws Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation and Conditioning.