Major gym chain eyes vacant units at Lancashire outlet centre

PureGym Ltd wants to take over three vacant commercial units at Affinity Lancashire Outlet, Fleetwood, converting them into a gym which would operate around the clock.

The application covers Units 3A2, 3A3 and W1 and would involve changing the use of around 464 square metres of floorspace from retail and other commercial uses to a gym.

Planning documents say the units were most recently occupied by clothing retailer Castore and children's amusement centre Captain Cod's Club House.

The proposals would also involve external alterations including new shopfront side screens, a bi-fold door, mechanical louvres, condensers and a replacement fire-exit door.

PureGym says 24-hour access is a "key component" of its business model, allowing people including shift workers and those with non-traditional working patterns to exercise outside conventional opening hours.

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Planning consultants say activity would be significantly lower overnight, with occasional arrivals and departures rather than sustained periods of activity.

A noise assessment has been submitted because the nearest homes in Anchorage Road are around 45 to 50 metres from the proposed gym.

Testing by RBA Acoustics found the initial plant proposal would exceed the adopted night-time noise limit at the nearest residential property unless mitigation was introduced.

The assessment predicted a rating level of 38dB from the plant against an adopted night-time limit of 30dB.

It said a solid close-boarded timber acoustic screen could reduce this to 25dB, bringing it within the limit.

However, the planning statement says the amount of plant equipment has since been reduced, and an acoustic screen is therefore no longer considered necessary.

The acoustic assessment also considered noise from spin, studio and functional classes.

It found noise from those activities was expected to be below the prevailing ambient and background sound levels at the nearest homes, while general gym activity and background music would produce significantly lower levels.

The latest formal classes at a typical PureGym take place between 8pm and 9.30pm, according to the assessment.

The site is within Flood Zone 2, but the application does not propose to increase the building's footprint or alter existing finished floor levels or drainage arrangements.

Planning consultants Planning Potential, acting on behalf of PureGym, said the development would bring three vacant units "back into active use" and broaden the leisure offer at the outlet centre.

They said: "The proposal will deliver a modern, affordable and accessible fitness facility within an established commercial destination."

The statement adds that the scheme would support "continued investment" at Affinity Lancashire Outlet and provide health and wellbeing benefits.

The plans have now been submitted to Wyre Council for consideration.