A ground-floor hairdressing salon at 16-18 Church Street, Poyntzpass, is to be turned into a Pilates studio.
The planning application was lodged by Tumilty Design, Newry, on behalf of Marcel H. Cunningham, Dromintee.
Back in September of last year, plans for the conversion of the premises into apartments had been refused, due to privacy issues for would-be residents.
ABC Planning officers noted in their report: “The building at 16-18 Church Street is a three-storey community-type building. This application relates to the ground-floor business unit previously used as a hairdressing and beauty salon and which is now vacant.
“At first-floor level is a beautician accessed from the ground floor. At second-floor level is an apartment with a playgroup located at the rear of the building.
“Lands to the rear of the building are utilised by the playgroup for external play. The site is separated from the adjacent Rice’s Hotel by an alleyway.
“The application seeks full planning permission for the change of use of a ground-floor hairdressing salon to a Pilates studio. The only change to the structure of the building will be the removal of an internal wall. Officers consider the design and layout of the proposal to be acceptable.
“DfI Roads has assessed the proposal and advise that given the proposal constitutes a change of usage of an established commercial premises in a village centre without any increase in footprint, it would be unreasonable for that Department to offer objections.
“The owner has proposed operational hours of Monday – Friday, 07:00 – 21:00hrs; Saturday 08:00 – 18:00; Sundays and public holiday, 09:00 – 16:00.
“The studio will operate on a small-scale, appointment-based model and will not function as an open gym.
“Classes are pre-booked, instructor-led, and limited in size to ensure low levels of noise, traffic, and general activity. It is anticipated that there will be small classes with a maximum of 10 people.
“No amplified music is proposed as the Pilates classes are conducted within the studio focus on controlled movement, breathwork, and the mind-body connection. Amplified music is not compatible with this approach.
“As a result, the studio will operate without speakers or sound systems that could generate noise beyond the premises. This significantly reduces the potential for disturbance to neighbouring properties.
“Pilates is a low-intensity, controlled form of exercise with no high-impact movements or loud activity.
“Combined with the ‘no amplified music’ policy, the use of the premises is inherently quiet and respectful of neighbouring occupiers. A condition should be attached in regards to no amplified music.”
