Pilates studio and servery at Linnymead, North Wootton, King's Lynn

What was proposed

Permission was sought retrospectively to use a domestic garden building as a Pilates studio and part of a garage as an associated servery.

“Full planning permission is sought for the retrospective change of use of a domestic garden building to a Pilates Studio and the change of use of a small area at the rear of the existing domestic garage to a servery ancillary to and used in association with the Pilates Studio.”

“If approved the permission would result in a mixed-use site comprising residential (Use Class C3) and Pilates Studio and ancillary Servery (Use Class E(d) indoor sport, recreation or fitness excluding motorised vehicles, firearms, swimming and skating).”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site contains a detached dwelling with a large driveway and lies in a residential part of North Wootton within its development boundary.

“The site is located within the development boundary of North Wootton, which is designated as a ‘Settlement adjacent to King’s Lynn and the Main Towns’ (Tier 3) by Development Plan Policy LP01.”

“The site accommodates a 4-bedroom, 1.5-storey, detached dwelling. The dwelling is set back from the highway and benefits from a large front driveway with two access points: one to the east and one to the west.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The highways authority raised no objection subject to controls, while the community safety and neighbourhood noise team objected over noise, parking and early classes.

“Therefore, on that basis of the above we believe it would be difficult to substantiate an objection on highway safety grounds subject to a booking system with a maximum of 5 attendees being allowed together with the following condition being applied: Prior to the first use of the development hereby permitted the proposed access (one way in/out) / on-site car parking areas shall be laid/set out in accordance with the approved plan and retained thereafter available for that…”

“The application has been discussed within the team, and colleagues agree that, notwithstanding the noise technical letter, there is not sufficient detail to allow a full assessment of likely noise impacts. New development generating noise should ensure that noise levels do not exceed the existing background noise levels for the location by more than 5dB. These background noise levels have not been established so cannot be measured against.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support, and Councillor Ring supported the application and emphasised a trial period and strict controls.

What members discussed

Members discussed parking, noise and protecting a prominent oak tree, and agreed to add an informative about tree protection.

“In response to a comment from Councillor Coates, the case officer confirmed that the reference to am and pm could be removed from Condition 5 to make the condition clearer.”

“Members discussed the parking arrangements, noise concerns, and the need to protect a prominent oak tree. Councillor Mrs Spikings asked if an informative regarding tree protection for the Oak tree could be added to the consent. This was agreed by the Committee.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee unanimously voted to approve the application with the oak-tree protection informative added.

“The Democratic Services Officer then carried out a roll call on the recommendation to approve the application with an informative regarding protection for the Oak tree be added to the consent and, after having been put to the vote, was carried unanimously.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved as recommended, subject to the officer conditions and the added oak-tree protection informative.

“RESOLVED: That the application be approved as recommended.”

Minutes