Issue - meetings

193339

Meeting: 21/05/2020 - Planning Committee (Item 114)

114 Application No.193339 - Nirvana Spa Mole Road, Sindlesham, Wokingham, RG41 5DJ pdf icon PDF 501 KB

Recommendation: Conditional approval subject to legal agreement

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillors Chris Bowring, Gary Cowan and Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey declared prejudicial interests relating to this item and took no part in the discussion or vote.

 

Proposal: Full application for the proposed erection of a two storey detached building to provide 70 no. bedroom hotel accommodation ancillary to spa (Use Class C1) incorporating replacement gym, ancillary facilities and outside swimming pool, with associated car parking and soft landscaping, following demolition of existing 'Pulse 8' gym building.

 

Applicant: Mr S Barley

 

The Committee received and reviewed a report, set out in agenda pages 5 to 42.

 

The Committee were advised that the Members’ Update included:

 

·           Various amendments to conditions 3, 14, 20, 21, 22 and 25;

·           A verbal update, not included within the published Members’ Update, to state that recommendation A be amended to: A) Completion of a legal agreement within three months, unless a longer date is agreed by the Planning Service Manager and Chairman of Planning Committee, to secure an Employment Skills Plan, and……

 

In line with the given deadlines, two public written submissions were received for this item. These submissions were circulated to Members in advance, and noted on the evening. The submissions as provided can be found below.

 

Emily Temple Agent, provided the following submission in support of the application. “Thank you Chairman, and good evening.

The application before you seeks ancillary overnight accommodation to serve the existing Nirvana Spa.  The proposal comes as a result of a few factors; 1) combining on site gym facilities with the spa to ensure ongoing viability, as the existing ‘Pulse 8’ gym membership was not sufficient to sustain the enterprise.  2) Widening the market appeal of the very successful spa, especially the bespoke salt water treatments and rehabilitation programmes, and 3) retain and increase local employment opportunities. 

             

 The current proposals are the result of extensive pre-application discussions with planning officers, responding to their advice in both the design and suite of technical and environment reports submitted. This includes replacement gym floor area so there is no net reduction from ‘Pulse 8’; a two storey height (plus basement) to better reflect the lower ridge of the existing spa complex, and design detailing such as the arched windows, to reflect existing.

 

 To be clear, this is not a stand-alone ‘hotel’ development.  It is not for independent weddings or conferences, and the proposed floorplans should provide reassurance of this.  The existing spa already provides ancillary dining to members, and the proposed café and restaurant are an extension of these facilities for those who book to stay overnight to use the spa facilities.  

 

 Parking layouts have been revised to accommodate increased numbers, whilst maintaining safe flow and pedestrian safety around the site.  Deliveries are now accessed from an existing entrance off Harrow Way, eliminating turning and waiting in front of existing residential properties.  This, combined with the movement of built development away from the boundary fence, and an enhanced building design when compared with the existing gym, offers an enhancement to local residential amenity.

 

 A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 114