**Document:** Planning Support Statement Vannan **Application:** 14/00755/B — Construction of a private therapeutical pool and physiotherapy room, alterations below living area to create plant room and storage **Decision:** Permitted **Decision Date:** 2014-08-07 **Parish:** Onchan **Document Type:** report / planning_statement **Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/34898-onchan-abbeycourt-abbeylands/documents/1340078 --- # Planning Support Statement Vannan Planning Application for the Erection of an Extension to a Residential Property for the Provision of a Hydropetherapy and Therapeutic Pool with Ancillary Facilities at "Abbey Court", Abbeylund. ONCHAN. RECEIVED CN 24 JUN 2014 DEPARTMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE Written Statement W.B.Vannan DA [Edin.], Dip.T&CP [Edin.] Consultant Architect & Planner Tel. 01624 861013 Mob. 07624 485645 Cronk na Quill Old Laxey Hill Laxey IM47DA 22nd.. June, 2014 Planning Application for The Erection of an Extension for the Provision of a Hydrotherapy and Therapeutic Pool with Ancillary Facilities at “Abbey Court”, Abbeyland, Onchan. This Statement is in support of the Application for the construction of a Hydrotherapy and Therapeutic Pool withrelated facilities at the above property. It should be read in conjunction with the following Drawings : Drawing No. PD – 001 Location Plan. PD – 002 Existing Site Plan [ref. PA 13/91515/B] PD – 003 Existing Plan . PD – 004 Proposed Drainage Plan. PD – 005 Proposed Site Plan – Ground Floor. PD – 006 Proposed Site Plan – Below Ground Floor . PD–007 Proposed Rear and Side Elevations. PD –008 Proposed Section A –A & Side Elevation. PD- 009 Proposed Drainage Layout Note : An aerial photograph is attached as an Appendix to this Statement. The Site. The site is the property known as “Abbey Court” which, along with its immediately adjacent neighbour, “Crossways”, are modern residential properties which lie within, and are bordered by, an area of countryside in the area of Abbeyland in the District of Onchan. Being an established dwelling with a Planning Approval for residential an ancillary purposes it cannot therefore be considered as being Countryside. 1. The existing dwelling is a substantial 3 bedroom, single storey, pitched roof, structure of some 220.0 sq.m. [2,400 sq.ft.]. Within the curtilage of the dwelling there are currently two free standing structures: - A garage of some 37.0 sq.m. [400 sq.ft.], built as Permitted Development. - A timber structure of some 28.0 sq.m. [310 sq.ft]. This is currently used partially as a small private study, with the remainder as a storage facility. NOTE: It is proposed that this structure be removed on completion of the works related to this Application if Approved. ### Access. The existing access to the house is from the A22 Road, adjacent to the crossroads. No alterations to this access would be required due to their being virtually no increase in traffic generation. ### The Proposal. The proposal is for the construction of hydrotherapy facilities along with essential related ancillary facilities including; - A hydrotherapy pool with dimensions of 10.00m. long, 4.0m. wide and 1.4m. deep. - A small physiotherapy unit with shower and toilet. - Access hoist. - Storage area. - Plant room. Note: The above conform with the provisions of the SPATA Standards – Domestic Hydrotherapy Pools. A copy is attached as Appendix A. The proposed hydrotherapy pool is for the use of the Owner as part of his ongoing physiotherapeutic treatment and, being in house, would be available at all times. The need for this facility is supported by Medical evidence which is attached as Appendix B. The proposed development has been designed in such a manner as to minimise both visual intrusion and loss of useable private space, both of which concerns directly affect the Owner of the property in particular. 2. The proposal is that the above facilities be located within a single storey extension directly linked to, and accessible from, the existing dwelling. This would be achieved by excavation of the existing sloping ground which runs down in a westerly direction. This would then result in the upper level of the extension being at the same level as the existing ground floor of the main house, and being directly accessible from it. This new level would be finished as a lawn, with a protective balustrade of glazed panels, and thus would echo the current use as part of the garden. The lower level would be partially glazed in order to maximise the potential for natural lighting. ### Planning Policy. No relevant Planning Policy in relation to this proposal exists in the Isle of Man and heed has therefore been given to that which does exist in the U.K. - The only adopted Planning Policy document which specifically applies to this area of the Island is the Onchan Local Plan 2000 which gives little guidance as to this rural part of Onchan. - On a broader scale, the Isle of Man Strategic Plan June 2007 contains policies which, by its nature, are of general National relevance and are therefore not considered as being relevant to a proposed development of this small scale domestic nature. ### Impact. The impact of this development would be minimal, both in relation to the countryside in general, and to close, or near views by the Public or neighbours, in particular since it has been designed in order to minimise any adverse effects which might impact on the Owner and consequently on the Public. Its location as part of an existing building group, including the neighbouring property, means that it is effectively either screened from near views or is ‘lost’ amongst the larger group from a distance. It is also screened and protected by mature tree belts as can be seen on the aerial photograph attached to this Statement By virtue of its construction with stone and rendered walls and a grass roof, it is also compatible with other buildings in the countryside. The context of the surrounding countryside is characterised by containing comparatively large single buildings and groups of farm and other buildings which have, within their curtilage, free standing outbuildings. This proposal would follow this established practice in terms of the addition of structures related to the main building. 3. ### Summary. The subject of this Planning Application is to provide on -- site medical facilities for the current and future health care of the owner of the house which would be available when required, and also reduce pressure on the State Health facilities. In order to provide the foregoing, the proposal is for an extension to the existing modern house and has therefore been designed in such a manner as to be both compatible with the existing structure and to take advantage of the terrain in order to sink the development partially into the ground. Due to the design and location of the proposed development, it would have virtually no impact on the sole neighbouring property and certainly none on the countryside. No tree felling is envisaged and a survey has been initiated in order to determine the current state of the existing trees on the property as a whole, and to determine any future need for maintenance and underplanting as a separate issue. ### Conclusion. The proposal is of such a nature that it would, importantly, meet the essential health care needs of the owner of "Abbey Court", supported by medical advice, whilst not having an impact on the house, nor on its neighbour and the environment in general. W.B.Vannan --- *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/34898-onchan-abbeycourt-abbeylands/documents/1340078*