A FORMER bakery and cake shop has been given change of use approval to be a “wellbeing hub” and yoga studio.
Qualified yoga teacher Ria Gibbs, who also describes herself as a “change life coach with a passion for helping people improve their physical, mental and emotional wellbeing” will open the studio in the former Divine Delights Bakery on Windsor Road in Griffithstown, Pontypool.
Planning officer Alice Kelly said in a report, which approved the application, it would improve Windsor Road as the commercial centre of Griffithstown in line with Torfaen Borough Council’s planning policy.
She stated: “Windsor Road offers a variety of facilities such as a convenience store, florist, Chinese takeaway, post office, hairdresser, beauty salon, pharmacy. There is a gym located approximately 60 metres from Windsor road, however there is a lack of a yoga studio/wellbeing hub. Changing the use of the building from a food establishment to the proposed use would therefore improve the range of facilities.”
The permission for “assembly and leisure” use will be limited, by a condition, to use for yoga as the wide range of other potential uses hasn’t been considered and they would need to have been assessed for a potential negative impact on the area.
Opening hours will be restricted from 9am to 8pm while the report noted as there would be a maximum of eight people per class, which will mostly take place in the evenings, no more than eight vehicles would require parking though Ms Gibbs stated users will be encouraged to use alternative transport. There was no objection from the highways department and there is a car park some 110 metres from Windsor Road.
The council received 22 letters in support of the application and no objections and Ms Kelly stated while many highlighted “the positivity and their experience with the applicant” the permission isn’t limited to Ms Gibbs and was assessed on the proposed use.
It was also noted a “number of the representations do not live within close proximity to the application site” but the planning department recognised their contributions.