Yoga Centre Stretching Too Far?
Residents concerned that the business now too big for the area
The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre has been teaching yoga in London since 1972 and the present Centre has been in Felsham Road Putney SW15 since 1991.
The charity has now purchased 47 Felsham Rd to continue its expansion plans. Local residents feel that the business has over expanded and is affecting neighbours both in noise levels, lack of parking as spaces taken by clients.
One local residents said: "The noise and privacy affects all of the residents on the even number side (the/my) street, as the Yoga Centre and 'students' can view our back gardens. The rest of the local residents suffer from the increased volume of traffic and we cannot park on our street due to the large volumes of the general public attending classes at the centre."
Thamesfield councillors told PutneySW15: "Residents have contacted us to raise concerns about the ongoing expansion of the yoga centre located in the centre of a residential area. We were concerned to discover that conditions designed to protect residents are being disregarded and we are urging the yoga centre to respect these in the future.
The scale of operations has resulted from 15 planning applications at 45-51 Felsham Road. Whilst some are modest, the cumulative impact is not. The centre also applies for "certificates of lawfulness" to alter use or extend hours. The centre was set up to offer day time yoga classes in one building before extending into further buildings to become a very different operation providing many bedrooms for visitors supported by living and dining facilities for large residential courses some lasting a month. Parking and obstructions on the footway are a further concern.
If you are a resident who is being disturbed by outdoor classes or use of the roof for chanting particularly at antisocial hours, please email us as this is covered by existing conditions. A consultation to the latest proposals (planning application number 2014/2404) continues until 21 June. Do respond if you have concerns and copy us into your comments."
Cllr Ryder sits on the Planning Application Committee and is required to remain impartial until reaching a decision at the meeting but he will be giving all representations careful consideration
The Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre has yet to comment.
June 6, 2014