Agenda item

To consider the report of the City Development Manager.

Councillor Harvey declared a personal interest and left the meeting during consideration of this item.

The Assistant City Development Manager presented the application for the change of use from commercial building (Use Class B1/B2/B8) to Trampoline Academy (D2).

Mrs Johns spoke in support of the application. She raised the following points:-

• Exeter Trampoline Academy (ETA), a British Gymnastics affiliated club, had been running for 18 months. A mobile club was not sustainable, due to the one hour set up and pack down time, the size and amount of equipment required and price and availability of hall hire. A permanent base was required to develop;
• the project was in a position to move into a full time facility and offer Exeter an extraordinary facility to provide a service that was in demand to better the mental and physical health of the community whether pre-school tots and mums, disabilities to access rebound therapy or home education groups to have P.E lessons. ETA is inclusive to all;
• a suitable height (minimum of 8m) was required with enough parking, an easily accessed location and suitable price. Unit 6 Apple Lane ticked all boxes. The unit had been empty for two years, Haarer Goss having actively marketed it and it had attracted enquiries from many D2 users but not for B uses. The location of the unit meant that the use of public transport could be promoted as the unit was close to bus, rail and cycle networks. It was not a trampoline park but a safe, educational sporting environment for over 300 ETA members;
• the recommendation of refusal had been based on the  retention of employment premises. The club employed 11 part-time coaches, apprentices and administrators. Full-time jobs would automatically be available and a coaching team of 15-20, full-time administration team, cleaners and more apprentices would be required which would only increase employment of the business, the building and Exeter. This was greater than most B employment uses could generate. There were other examples in the other ‘employment protected areas’ that had been allowed a change of use due to exceptional circumstances;
• there were exceptional circumstances for this sport previously not available in Exeter at this capacity;
• to demonstrate long term protection, a temporary change of use would be acceptable in case the market changed in the future and the demand for B uses returned. A five year lease and change of use was a fair short term period of time to develop as a club and to work with the City Council to find a permanent facility; and

• there would be  a huge benefit to people’s lives and for the city and community of Exeter. It would be an inclusive sport and help promote health and wellbeing with specialist training in trampolining.

Responding to Members, she stated that she had been searching for a suitable premises for some three years and that, although the Riverside area would have been a suitable location, there were no available buildings of sufficient height. A height of eight metres was the minimum requirement which was met by the proposed unit. She confirmed that a letter of support had been obtained from British Gymnastics who were affiliated to Sport England.

Members, whilst recognising the importance of retaining Class B employment uses and encouraging the establishment of long-term businesses, noted that this unit had remained vacant partly as a result of cheaper units outside Exeter and that businesses seeking premises to occupy were frequently price sensitive and sought lower rents. They felt that the proposed use was suitable and noted the additional employment opportunities the occupation by a trampolining academy as cited by the applicant would bring. They felt that the specific circumstances in this case made approval acceptable but that it should not set a precedent when similar circumstances were being looked at in respect of the same Class Use. In respect of the offer of a five year lease, Members did not feel that a time restriction was appropriate.

The recommendation was for refusal for the reasons as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the City Development Manager, subject to prior consultation with Chair of this Committee, be granted delegated authority to APPROVE planning permission for the change of use from commercial building (Use Class B1/B2/B8) to Trampoline Academy (D2), subject to its use being specific to the trampoline academy and not for any other use within Use Class D2 and the following conditions:-

(1)        the permission not being time limited; and

(2)        the imposition of appropriate conditions, including conditions relating to the standard hours of occupation and appropriate parking.