**Document:** Planning Officer Report
**Application:** 13/00017/C — Change of use of part of existing therapy room facilities to provide creche for use by members during their visit to the gym
**Decision:** Permitted
**Decision Date:** 2013-02-26
**Parish:** Braddan
**Document Type:** report / officer_report
**Source:** https://planningportal.im/a/3859-braddan-diamond-house-change-of-use/documents/1548909

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# Planning Officer Report

## Planning Officer Report And Recommendations [Table omitted in markdown export]

## Officer's Report

### The Site

1. The application site is the curtilage of Diamond House, Demesne Road, Douglas which is situated on the corner of Demesne Road and Westmoreland Road.

### The Proposal

2. The application seeks approval for the change of use of part of the existing therapy room facilities to provide a crèche for use by members during their visit to the gym. The change of use would not involve any external alterations.

### Planning History

3. The following previous planning applications are considered to be the most recent and most relevant:

PA 10/01307/B Conversion of existing ground floor office and first floor store to a hairdressers salon with treatment and therapy rooms – permitted

PA 11/01148/B Alteration and conversion of redundant storage area to a gymnasium to be used in conjunction with existing health/beauty facility – permitted

PA 12/00899/B Alteration and conversion of redundant storage area to a gymnasium to be used in conjunction with existing health/beauty facility (amendment to PA 11/01148/B) – permitted

PA 12/01173/B Enclosure of area under existing canopy to front of shop area to create a coffee lounge – permitted

### Development Plan Policies

4. The application site is within an area zoned as "Predominantly Residential" identified on the Douglas Local Plan 1998. Given the nature of the application it is appropriate to consider General Policy 2 of the Isle of Man Strategic Plan (20th June 2007).

5. General Policy 2

Development which is in accordance with the land-use zoning and proposals in the appropriate Area Plan and with other policies of this Strategic Plan will normally be permitted, provided that the development:

a) Is in accordance with the design brief in the Area Plan where there is such a brief; b) Respects the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design and landscaping of buildings and the spaces around them; c) Does not affect adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape; d) Does not adversely affect the protected wildlife or locally important habitats on the site or adjacent land, including water courses; e) Does not affect adversely public views of the sea; f) Incorporates where possible existing topography and landscape features, particularly trees and sod banks; g) Does not affect adversely the amenity of local residents or the character of the locality; h) Provides satisfactory amenity standards in itself, including where appropriate safe and convenient access for all highway users, together with adequate parking, servicing and manoeuvring space; i) Does not have an unacceptable effect on road safety or traffic flows on the local highways; j) Can be provided with all necessary services; k) Does not prejudice the use or development of adjoining land in accordance with the appropriate Area Plan; I) Is not on contaminated land or subject to unreasonable risk of erosion or flooding; m) Takes account of community and personal safety and security in the design of buildings and the spaces around them; and n) Is designed having due regard to best practice in reducing energy consumption.

## Consultations

6. The Registration and Inspections Unit advises that the standards for this type of establishment is the same as other child day care facilities. In terms of the numbers they could not advise as they did not know the size.
7. Douglas Corporation has no objections.

### Assessment

8. The application seeks approval for the change of use of an existing therapy room to a crèche for use by members of the gym. The main issues to consider in the assessment of the application is whether the proposed use would be compatible with the existing uses within the building, whether the room proposed would be appropriate for use as a crèche and whether the proposed use would have a harmful impact on the existing uses.
9. Due to the size of the building it has a number of uses, the ground floor to the front is currently used as a shop and to the rear there are treatment rooms and facilities associated with the gym. The first floor has further rooms for use in association with the gym and further treatment rooms.
10. The ground floor treatment rooms are accessed through a door in the side elevation; there is a stairwell to provide access to the first floor.
11. The proposed crèche would be utilised by existing members of the gym who have children and would otherwise be unable to attend if there were no childminding facilities. The applicant does not envisage that there will be an increase in need for car parking as the crèche would only be used by those visiting the gym.
12. It is considered that the proposed change of use would not have a harmful impact on the amenities of the neighbouring properties.
13. It is judged that the proposal would not result in a significant increase in car parking and would make good use of a large building. Given that the crèche would be utilised by

existing members, the proposal would not result in an increase in traffic use and therefore should be conditioned.
14. The Registrations and Inspection Unit have advised that the room would require a toilet and wash hand basin per eight children over the age of 2 . Whilst one has not been shown on the plan, the applicant is aware that one has to be provided and this is something that would be controlled under Building Control and would be monitored by the Registrations and Inspection Unit.
15. The applicant has not provided specific numbers regarding children attending the creche, however it is only to be used by those who are members of the gym. The number of children attending the creche will be assessed on floor area of the room, and again this would be restricted by the Registrations and Inspection Unit.
16. For the above reasons the application is considered to be acceptable and is recommended for approval.

## Party Status

17. The local authority, Douglas Corporation is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (5) (d), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.
18. The Registrations and Inspections Division of the Department of Social Care is, by virtue of the Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2005, paragraph 6 (6) (a), considered an "interested person" and as such should be afforded party status.

### Recommendation

Recommended Decision: Permitted

Date of 25.02.2013

Recommendation:

### Conditions and Notes for Approval / Reasons and Notes for Refusal

### C : Conditions for approval <br> N : Notes attached to conditions <br> R : Reasons for refusal <br> O : Notes attached to refusals

C 1. The development hereby permitted shall commence before the expiration of four years from the date of this notice.

C 2. This permission relates to the change of use of an existing therapy room to provide a creche for use by members during their visit to the gym as shown in drawings PTA-43-01 Rev A, PTA-43-40 and PTA-43-41 received 8th January 2013

C 3.

I confirm that this decision accords with the appropriate Government Circular delegating functions to Director of Planning and Building Control / Development Control Manager/ Senior Planning Officer.

Decision Made : Permitted Date : 25/3/13

### Determining officer (delete as appropriate)

Signed : [Handwritten signature] Anthony Holmes Senior Planning Officer

Signed : [Blank] Michael Gallagher Director of Planning and Building Control

Signed : [Blank] Jennifer Chance Development Control Manager

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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/3859-braddan-diamond-house-change-of-use/documents/1548909*