Plans for home-based gym business to extend studio rejected

Thursday 24 November 2022

A small fitness business operating from a private home has had plans to extend its fitness studio rejected over concerns regarding its negative impact on neighbours in surrounding houses.

Absolute Fitness's planning application did not involve any building work, but wanted to extend the current gym studio further into an adjoining bedroom for a period of five years.

Absolute Fitness said: "A lot of our clients choose to train with us because the private home studio is away from a lively and busy gym, and they are intimidated by other people.

"We provide the privacy and comfort they desire while helping them overcome obesity, anxiety, ailments and other issues from the comfort of our own home."

The company said it did not anticipate that the expansion would lead to additional customers, and therefore will not create issues with additional parking, traffic or noise.

However, the planning application attracted public comments from neighbours who raised concerns over long opening hours, additional noise, privacy concerns, and increased traffic, suggesting that it is "unfair to local residents who wish to relax in their down time without the additional disturbance of both traffic and gym noises."

One letter asked: "How can a business of this nature be allowed to operate on a quiet residential road without any restrictions?"

Constable of St. Brelade, Mike Jackson, also raised concerns about Absolute Fitness's planning application.

Pictured: Constable of St. Brelade, Mike Jackson.

His letter suggested that the gym's "concept is good but in the wrong location", adding that "the effect on neighbours must not be underestimated".

The Parish Constable outlined his concerns: "It is a dense residential area serviced by a narrow Parish administered road with no capacity for public parking or space for turning without encroaching on private roads or driveways and consequently the privacy of neighbours.

"Time of operation is also a consideration in that it is unreasonable that neighbours have to tolerate not only traffic manoeuvrings in the early mornings but also the inevitable noise that will emanate from a gymnasium establishment."

Absolute Fitness will now have the chance to appeal the rejection if desired.