Residents ‘appalled’ as council approves garden massage parlour on new Poole estate of Carters Quay

Residents of a major housing estate in Poole, Dorset, are “horrified” after retrospective planning permission was granted to a Thai massage parlor operating from a garden shed.

The decision sparked outrage among residents of the Carters Quay project, who are bound by strict contractual rules banning businesses from being run from their homes.

The rules even prohibit branded vehicles from being parked on their property.

Preeyaphon Wansanit set up a therapy room in the backyard of his rented property and encouraged neighbors to complain to the local municipality after distributing advertising leaflets.

Ms Wansanit was then instructed to apply for planning permission retroactively.

Its application received 18 objections from residents over concerns about increased parking and safety issues due to customers “coming and going” day and night.

But BCP Council has now decided that the work does not constitute a “material change of use” of the site, allowing the 9ft wide and 6.6ft high cabin to remain.

Planning officer Camila Bastidas said the operation found there was no significant impact on neighboring properties.

He said the size of the business was limited, Ms Wansanit was the only employee and the spa was open part-time.

The council will impose conditions that the spa’s opening hours will be limited to 9am-6pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm on Saturdays, and clients will be booked in one at a time, with a 30-minute gap between appointments.

The planning officer said granting planning permission did not invalidate existing contracts for Carters Quay.

However, citizens reacted to the decision.

A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I am appalled that the council has said it is okay for this to go ahead and I am appalled that this has been done retrospectively.

“I have no idea where this falls into the agreement.

“This is a residential area, it’s one thing for people to work from home, but a completely different thing if it’s a business that brings in customers from outside.”

Neighbors had previously accused Ms Wansanit, a single mother, of violating the terms of her housing contract.

Cesar Camacho said: “It is prohibited to run a dog grooming kennel or any similar business on the site. The owner is contractually obliged to comply, but he does not.”

“This is not an honest and law-abiding approach to starting a business.”

Speaking after the council’s decision, Ms Wansanit said she was happy to be able to continue her gardening work.

He said: “I am pleased that the application has been approved and appreciate the council’s consideration.

“I am grateful for the positive decision and look forward to moving forward.”

Speaking about the 30-minute gap between clients, she added: “I do not anticipate any significant problems.

“I understand the intent of the situation and will work within those requirements to ensure everything runs smoothly.

“Our citizens should not have any worries”