Planning permission has been granted for the retention of a holistic wellness centre at Hazelbank Mill, 5 Hazelbank Road in Lawrencetown, despite concerns from nearby residents to do with perceived traffic issues and light pollution.
The planning application, for the retention of the facility, was lodged by DA Architects Ltd, Armagh Business Park, on behalf of Arthur Davidson, Hazelbank Mill, 3 Hazelbank Road.
The residential site is only accessible through a narrow road and bridge off the A50 in Lawrencetown, which is why any prospect of increased traffic is viewed with some concern by nearby residents.
Two Banbridge Road residents cited the following concerns in written representation to ABC Planning officers: “It’s all the vehicles travelling to and from the gym that’s destroying the road.
“We do not see the road and bridge as fit for the amount of traffic travelling to and from the gym.
“It is a private road, mostly consisting of stone and dust, which has been deteriorating quickly over the past few years, with the amount of traffic using it.
“On June 2, at 6.50am, there was 11 vehicles parked at the gym. This was only the first class of the day.
“I think in order to continue with the gym facilities, the road would need to be brought up to a satisfactory condition which is capable of withstanding all this traffic, and then maybe handed over for adoption by DoE.”
Another resident, who lives on the Hazelbank Road, cited light pollution concerns, saying: “The lights are floodlights which start off with spotlights.
“As the night goes on the lights get brighter and push out more luminosity. These lights are facing directly into my house. With curtains pulled, I do not need to turn the light on in my bedroom.
“The annoying thing is, the lights are staying permanently through the night, lighting my house. I definitely do not want this.
“I bought the house on the understanding that Hazelbank Road is a private and residential road, with only access to existing residences, which means in my eyes no commercial or business has any right to cross the bridge or travel on Hazelbank Road.
“The gym should not have access to Hazelbank Road.”
Jenna Henning, who works at the ‘Function Established 3′ (FE3) wellness centre, was anxious to address some of the residents’ concerns, in correspondence to ABC Planning: “We at Function Established 3 are a private bespoke holistic wellness centre that offers personalised training focusing on injury, rehabilitation and specific strength and conditioning, on a one-to-one basis and small group training which includes no more than four people.
“We operate from 6am to 1pm, and 5pm to 9pm (no later), Monday to Friday, and our schedule is based on 95% one-to-one sessions.
“Our boutique facility is a private membership-only based gym. Within the gym we have no amplified music, and our instructors do not use microphones.
“Our aim is to create a calming and focused atmosphere for our clients.
“There have been no objections to noise from the surrounding residential homes, and the lights in question have been switched off, therefore not impacting on the amenity enjoyed by the local residents.”
Following a site visit, ABC Planning officers wrote in their report: “The site comprises of a red brick building located at a mill complex at 5 Hazelbank Road, Gilford.
“At time of site inspection the single-storey eastern portion of the building was being used as a holistic wellness centre, with the first-floor mid portion of the existing building also used as a holistic wellness centre.
“There is no longer an industrial use at this location, and it would appear that the portion of the building used for the holistic wellness centre use was previously used for offices without the benefit of planning permission.
“Given the site’s previous industrial use, the fact that the proposal is continuing the use of an old building and will ensure its upkeep, and given the site’s location within the settlement limit of Lawrencetown, the use is considered to be acceptable in principle.
“The proposal involves the conversion of an existing building which is of a suitable size to facilitate the holistic wellness centre, at ground and first-floor levels.
“The proposed external changes are relatively minor. [They] are considered to be in keeping with the existing building, and will not detract from the character of the area.
“Car parking has been provided for customers/staff associated with the centre at its entrance and comprises of nine spaces.
“There is adequate parking for the proposal, and the parking arrangement is acceptable.
“The holistic wellness centre is located [sufficiently] away from the closest third-party dwelling at number 24 Hazelbank.
“Given the separation distance, officers are satisfied that there will be no adverse impact by reason of noise on existing residents.
“The Environmental Health Office has assessed the proposal in terms of residential amenity, and following receipt of a noise assessment and detailed sound insulation design, have no objections.
“DfI Roads has advised that they have no objections to the proposal. Officers agree with DfI Roads’ assessment that the proposal does not represent intensification in use, given the previous mill use on site.
“The floodlight has been removed from the building and from the plans.”
