Relate Planning Justification

Change Of Use Of 8 Albert Street From Residential And Office Use To Counselling Rooms And Office Use For Relate Isle Of Man Only

RELATE Isle of Man is a company limited by guarantee and a Registered Charity (No 470A)

RELATE is the only organisation on the Island offering counselling for couples in difficulty. Its current premises are semi-basement, very cramped and not inductive to a soothing atmosphere.

The current owner of 8 Albert Street, Mr Bill Ford, is frequently off-island and does not use his premises full-time as a residence. However he would not wish the premises to become permanently non-residential and would propose making the lease of them, on a 3 year renewable lease, personal to RELATE.

A planning condition making the use personal to RELATE only would be acceptable.

RELATE employs

• 1 full-time member of staff;
• 7 part-time counsellors working 3-6 hours per week each;
• 3 part-time evening receptionists (only one working at a time); and
• 1 part-time office assistant (mornings)

The majority of counselling takes place in the evening Monday to Thursday inclusive. Counselling also takes place on a maximum of two lunchtimes per week. At any one time, day time or evening, there will normally be only 2 counsellors (occasionally 3 on one or two evenings per week) and one receptionist working.

The ground floor front room is already used as an office and will remain in such use.

At the rear of the premises there is parking for 3 cars; a garage is also available. For lunchtime sessions many people are able to walk to the premises. During the evening there is no shortage of on-street parking available.