Controversial plans for therapy 'pod' in North Tyneside approved

A planning saga has finally concluded, with councillors approving an application for a back garden therapy "pod" on a residential Whitley Bay street.

North Tyneside Council's planning committee, on the advice of officers, gave the go-ahead last night to a registered nurse's application to install a therapy pod in the back garden of her home on Garsdale Road. However, the plans, which originally sought permission to install the pod at the front of the property, sparked concern and worry among locals and neighbours.

The council's website recorded 42 objections to the plans put forward by the applicant, Kate Chartres, both for the original and amended application, with concerns ranging from parking to the supposed appropriateness of the location of the business.

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One anonymised objector, speaking on behalf of other objectors and granted, spoke to councillors last night that while the community had "100%" and "complete empathy" with those suffering from mental health issues, they continued to question whether the proposed pod was the correct environment.

In written submissions to the planning committee the applicant, Kate Chartes, stated that her clients do not pose a danger to herself or the community and would be subject to over-the-phone risk assessments. In addition, the client base would be made up of people suffering from "common" mental health problems including, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and also people living with chronic pain.

Appointments would take place between the hours of 9am to 7pm, with a maximum of eight clients seen face-to-face over two weekdays. The proposed structure would also be used as an office for remote sessions.

The council's report stated: "...in terms of frequency of client visits, it is not considered that four people per day visiting the property (over the course of two days per week) will result in such increased activity and such an increase in comings and goings to the property, above and beyond that which could be expected at a residential dwelling, that refusal could be justified on these grounds."

Council officers also informed the committee that the pod only requires planning permission because it is a new business structure. In addition, due to the "limited scale" of the business, the applicant would not have to seek permission if they wanted to conduct sessions within the home of the existing garden building.

The plans were approved by a majority vote with one abstention by councillor Liam Bones.