Woman faces loss of salon shed over planning rules

An 18-year-old woman has said she fears she has built her beauty business "for nothing" after being refused planning permission for her home salon as council officers said it was "unduly prominent".

Felicity Etheridge said she first began using the shed at her mum's house in Lilac Crescent, Beeston, Nottinghamshire, in October.

After initially believing it fell under permitted development, the family received an enforcement letter saying it needed permission because of its shape and business use.

Broxtowe Borough Council's planning team said the business and extension were acceptable in principle, but ultimately refused permission because of the shed's appearance and position.

A council planning officer said the building was "incongruous" and there was not "adequate external amenity space" for the occupants, as a residential home.

Construction of the shed first started in June and Etheridge said she paid for the £10,000 project with her wages, money from family inheritance, and a government trust fund scheme.

She said she hoped to work from the shed until she had saved enough money to move out of it.

Her mum Kelly Batley said the roof of the shed overhangs past the front of the property but it was in line with the bay window.

After planning permission was refused, Etheridge is now faced with the decision of either dismantling the structure or appealing against the council decision.

She said: "Everything that I have built from this home salon would be for nothing.

"From June to September last year, I did not pay myself a single penny. It all went into the building.

"It was just shock really. A lot of people in Beeston Rylands are my clients.

"I haven't actually had a single person that I know of anyway say look, 'we are not happy with it'.

"I am trying to avoid an appeal because it's a very lengthy process."

Etheridge said she began renting a chair in a nail salon at 16 but struggled in the "busy environment".

Diagnosed with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at 17, Etheridge said she felt much more comfortable in her own shed.

"For the first few years of building my client base, I did not have much confidence," she said.

"But from working here my client base tripled. It was all positive.

"I did not have to worry about anyone else around me, I wasn't rushed by anyone, it was not overwhelming.

"It was really calm and down to earth."

Batley, 44, said they were willing to make adjustments to the shed and they still had 65% outdoor amenity space left.

She said: "We were just quite surprised really just because it feels as if they are treating it as if it is a permanent building.

"We have got no plans on this being permanent, it was to keep Fliss working.

"We are happy to put a fence up, we are happy to do whatever needs to be done to make it acceptable to the planning officer."

A spokesperson for Broxtowe Borough Council said: "The planning department assesses all cases based on adopted planning policy, and this site was refused planning permission on grounds of design and amenity.

"The council must consider that while tenants may change, the building is there for its lifetime.

"Applicants' personal circumstances are not a material planning consideration and as such the development was refused.

"The applicant is entitled to appeal, and they have been made aware of their options."

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