PLANS have been drawn up for a new-generation gym to serve Pendle’s largest employment site and beyond.

Supporters of a high-intensity work-out regime, Crossfit, are looking to establish a new base on the Lomeshaye industrial estate in three vacant units.

Agents acting on behalf of Clitheroe-based applicant Michael Rawson are arguing that the neighbouring premises at the Kenyon Business Centre, Kenyon Road, are no longer suitable for business use due to access problems.

Planning consultant Farooq Rafiq said: “Whereas a traditional gym is open for use throughout the day and users can drop in and exercise on their own accord, the Crossfit model is based around a series of classes with typically 12 to 16 people and one or two trainers.”

Specialised equipment including a pull-up rig, gymnastic ring and climbing rope would be installed at the new gym.

The nearest similar outfits are based in Clitheroe, Leyland and Preston and the proposed Pendle operation would open weekdays and until noon at weekends.

Mr Rafiq added: “This proposal seeks to bring back into use a long-standing vacant building which, despite marketing, has no realistic prospect of being used for its intended purpose.”

Council bosses are looking to extend Lomeshaye, and promote it as the borough’s premier employment site.

But critics, including former council leader John David, have protested that ‘brownfield’ former industrial land should be reused instead of swathes of the greenbelt.