Welcome to the forum Teach.
This is one of those areas where I think the IEE Regs. don't always make sense. If you can have a waher/dryer in the bathroom hardwired, then why should the same unit not be plug-&-socket connected, if the outlet is suitably placed?
Yes, somebody might decide to try to use that socket for a hairdryer while in the tub I suppose, but they might try to do any one of a number of other stupid things as well. I really think it's time for the IEE to relax their stance on this.
