Planning Statement

14th May 2021

Miss Laura Mackie 73 Springfield Road Douglas Isle of Man IM2 1EE

Redacted

Application Statement for Change of use 1st Floor Suite, 33-35 Victoria Street, Douglas

The site is 33-35 Victoria Street, Douglas, it is a corner terraced building on Victoria Street and Duke Street. Surrounding businesses include estates agents, coffee shops, bars, beauty salons and other shops.

The space is currently unoccupied and has been for some time. It was previously used as Health and Beauty retail unit; previous change of use applications have been for a retail unit to a financial services office (14/00993/C).

I wish to convert the 1st Floor space into a private personal training studio. I will be offering Personal Training sessions on a 1-2-1 basis as well as small group training sessions.

Warehouse Fitness Women’s only gym closed its doors on the 8th May, I was employed by them. I am fortunate enough that the owners of the gym are still allowing me to use the gym for the time being. However, this will only be for a short period of time due to building works which are due to begin very soon. I want to offer women a place to train where they can work out safely and feel comfortable. My clients are all women, who do not feel comfortable training in mixed gyms.

Parking would not be an issue, as there are many car parking facilities within walking distance and some of my clients do work within walking distance of the premises. The studio would not have any environmental impact as the floor would be soundproof, therefore ensuring the retail unit below would not be affected by any noise and music would be played in the background at a respectable level.

I would like to stick up some window decals on the inside of the windows, these would be my company logo and name and will easily be removable. There has previously been permission granted for window decals on the 7th August 2014, 17/00941/D.

No external changes will be made to the building by myself.