Shipping Container Changing Rooms Approved For Yarmouth Sailing Club

A shipping container will be used as changing rooms at an Isle of Wight sailing club.

Plans to improve sports provision at Yarmouth Sailing Club will go ahead as learning to sail becomes more popular.

Martin Palmer has been granted consent for a shipping container changing room at the RYA Training Centre on Bridge Road, to meet the needs of young members.

The approval comes despite concerns over the proposed facility’s visual impact and size. Mr Palmer’s agent, Plan Research, said Yarmouth Sailing Club has a ‘good track record’ teaching children in the area.

The consultancy said the plans seek to improve existing on-site provision so more young people can improve their fitness and learn sailing skills including endurance, perseverance, teamwork and safety.

“Children’s safeguarding rules have changed over the years, and the popularity of learning to sail has increased,” a Design and Access Statement said.

“These factors require Yarmouth Sailing Club to consider whether its facilities meet the requirements of a growing number of children who use the site.

“Currently, the changing room provision inside the club’s building is too small for the number of children who use it regularly, forcing adults and children to change in the same location when lessons are on, which is far from ideal.”

Member of the public Elizabeth Millard said she agreed children who sail with the club should be provided with a safe and separate place to change but cited several reservations.

“I do not believe the facility proposed will provide adequate space for its purpose,” she said.

“I have not, despite asking the applicant, been assured that the facility proposed will have hot and cold running water, have toilet facilities or heating.

“If this is the case then this will mean that the children, when they come off the water from their sailing will still have to use the main clubhouse’s toilets, shower and hot water to clean themselves before changing which I feel will be rather defeating the object of safeguarding the children.”

George Jacobs meanwhile objected, telling planners another ‘utilitarian’ container structure within a generally open and green area would be ‘out of keeping’ with the area’s character. County Hall is yet to publish a report on the decision.