**Document:** Supporting Planning Statement
**Application:** 15/00365/C — Change of use from existing place of worship to a male grooming parlour
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2015-05-20
**Parish:** Braddan
**Document Type:** report / planning_statement
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/5898-braddan-gospel-hall-change-of-use/documents/1300503

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# Supporting Planning Statement

Gospel Hall, Switzerland Road.

In this Supporting letter, I will put forward any answers you required in relation to the Pre Application Advise, which was dealt with by Mr. Edmond Riley. I shall attach all and any correspondence concerning this letter for you to assess.

- "We will expect applicants 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 much consideration, based upon months of searching throughout Douglas and surrounding areas, we found the Gospel Hall to be of ideal location and situation, it is a self contained premises. With on site parking, which is crucial to the surrounding area and living conditions of current residents. On site parking for up to 25 cars, which completely eradicates the need for any footfall to congest any access, leading up to the premises.

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

As stated previous I looked at many places in Douglas, including Strand Street, tower house and Onchan. As this is a new concept I'm introducing on Island, one can simply not afford the current rental expectations put on units within the retail district of strand street and close captioned areas within the Douglas town Centre, some in excess of £45,000 PA. Others, which could have been viable cost wise, were in a state of complete disrepair. Parking was another major issue for me. So hence, The Gospel Hall. Location, Suitability and Parking wise is perfect my business concept.

- "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."

I have attached the estate agents response to this question, with
this letter. Please see attached.

- "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 the floor plan internal sizes with a not to scale
plan of the layout but all the measurements are correct, we
would be expecting around 10-12 customers a day, an there is
more than enough space with the on site parking. I should note
that customers are also visitng by appointment base only at
present.

- "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 intend the business to be open."

The increase in coming and goings will not effect living conditions
at all, customers wont be arriving all at once clogging the access
and customers will then be parking off the road and on the
premises, completely away from residents and pedestrians.

The opening hours would be along these lines Mon-wed 8am to
6pm, Thurs-Fri 8am to 8pm, Sat 8am to 5pm, Sun 10am to 2pm.

There will also be no adverse noise nuisance from the proposed
use of the premises that residents should be concerned about.

Floor Plans will be attached with the application.

- "Just for your information, if any such application was considered
to be acceptable in all other matters, I think we would very likely
add a condition to the approval notice requiring that the use be
limited purely to that of a hairdressers / barber rather than any
other form of retail use. (In planning terms, 'hairdressers' falls

under an umbrella of all 'retail' uses, and as such any approval for a hairdresser would be a de facto approval for any retail use. Since we generally wish to see retail retained within established centers, this explains the condition we would likely apply.)"

As a Business/service provider, such as any other on the island, I would like to be able to retail certain products to accompany the services I offer, in this case Traditional Men's Grooming and style. This is currently allowed in any other salon or business on island so I would like the same to be applicable to me. I am not interested in taking anything away from the other business that are already in the retail sector, What I am offering is not taking away or depriving any other business in Douglas or the Island, it will be enhancing it. The concept I am offering is completely new to the Island and therefore cannot possibly be damaging others. I would like to provide the Island with a new and exciting concept, which gives me what the Isle of Man wants to ensure in new young entrepreneurs. The Freedom to Flourish.

- "Finally, since such a proposal would be contrary to the Local Plan zoning, it would automatically be referred to the Planning Committee for their consideration if the application was otherwise considered acceptable. This would be a public meeting at which you would be able to speak (for a maximum of 3 minutes) to Committee to explain your proposal and address any issues that might have arisen. You would be able to view the officer's report in advance."

This will be fine and I look forward to seeing you.

Kind Regards

Benjamin Mark Drewry

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*Data sourced from the Isle of Man public planning register under the [Isle of Man Open Government Licence](https://www.gov.im/about-this-site/open-government-licence/).*
*Canonical page: https://planningportal.im/a/5898-braddan-gospel-hall-change-of-use/documents/1300503*