Tanning salon given go ahead

It will be at Alphington Retail Park, near Nandos.

It would have around 15 tanning beds and take over a unit that has been vacant for 15 years and unsuccessfully marketed for employment since February 2013.

Exeter City Council planners, under delegated powers, have approved the planning application for the new solarium, which had wished to change the use of the industrial unit use.

A planning statement with the application has said the proposed location is “adjacent to an existing gym and beauty services retail unit, as well as the surrounding restaurants” and as such “the proposal is considered appropriate and complimentary to the surrounding uses.”

It adds: “This area of Alphington Park has proven unattractive as a commercial area and evolved into a successful cluster of leisure and food outlets, the proposal will further complement and support this without detriment to the local employment offering.

“The unit has been marketed since February 2013 where it was part of a wider redevelopment. Given it has remained empty for over 6 years it is reasonable to consider the unit undesirable as a ‘B’ use building and therefore other uses should be explored.

“The proposed solarium would offer an alternative use, compatible with the uses approved in the neighbouring units. Its conversion to a solarium would not be detrimental to the employment offer of the area.”

Exeter already has two branches of Consol: on Sidwell Street and Cowick Street.

Prices are set at around 80p per minute for their lie-down beds and 60p per minute for their standing cabins.

As well as planning permission for the change of use for the unit, approval has also been granted for a new illuminated sign and banner advertising the tanning salon.