Plans to turn garage into hair salon approved
A mother's plans to open a hair salon in her garage have made the cut for Cannock Chase councillors.
Karen Leighton aims to offer a “quiet and serene” environment for her customers in the small salon she plans to run from her detached house in Ansty Drive, Heath Hayes.
But Heath Hayes Parish Council objected to the change of use plans for the garage, giving the view that “no business development should be allowed in residential areas”, a report to Cannock Chase Council’s planning committee said.
At a committee meeting on May 5, Ms Leighton said she would serve just one customer at a time.
“This isn’t a High Street salon, it is a one-to-one (service)”, she told councillors. “If there is any more than one client a day I will clean down in between for Covid security.
“I know there were questions about parking but we have enough parking for our own vehicles and a client’s vehicle, which can be situated away from neighbours.
“There is nothing else suitable in my area. I aim to create a nice serene environment for clients I already have and I want this to be somewhere quiet they can escape to.
“I’m a colour specialist hairdresser and a lot of my work takes three to four hours – I don’t have time to do lots of clients. It’s not like I’m going to be churning out lots of people.
“I have a five-year-old and I’m a college lecturer. I want to carry on with that. This won’t be a full-time thing. Hairdressing helps me keep up to date with my other job teaching.”
The application was backed by 12 committee members, with three voting against.
