Green light for plans for day spa near Mansfield

Gedling Council has approved the plans for Loxley Lodge, on Grays Drive, Ravenshead, seeking permission to “change of use from residential and storage/office use to a mixed use comprising residential and day spa, including beauticians, single-storey extension to existing garage”.

The site was on the market back in October 2021, for £1.675 million.

In a report, the council said permission was sought to convert Loxley Lodge “to spa use to include reception, seven. treatment rooms, relaxation room, dining room, kitchen, slumber room and office” and the garage and attached barns to “a pool/steam/sauna with changing rooms”, with an extension to provide a plant room, with “an outdoor sunken Jacuzzi located to the rear”.

A planning statement by Marrons Planning, on behalf of Sooriah Investments, accompanying the application says: “A food offer would be required to provide for the needs of spa visitors, for lunches and refreshments, although no on-site hot food preparation would be undertaken.

"There would be a maximum of eight day spa guests at the premises at any one time, attending via two sessions per day, 10am-4pm and 4-8pm.

“It is possible additional customers would also attend for beauty treatments who are not using the spa. A maximum of six additional guests would be allowed on any given day.

“Both the day spa and beauticians would be controlled by appointment, as the applicant is keen to ensure the spa remains tranquil and a quiet, intimate experience for guests. Visitors would not be staying overnight.”

The scheme is expected to create six full-time jobs within the spa, plus a further two positions for “cleaning and maintenance purposes”.

Approving the scheme, the council said: “Given only modest external alterations are proposed to the buildings and the scale, design and appearance of the proposed single-storey extension to the proposed pool building, it is not considered the development would result in any harm to the character and appearance of the site.

“Furthermore, given the previous mixed use of the site, it is not considered the proposed use as a day spa and associated uses of existing buildings would result in harm to the rural character of the site and wider setting.”