AN application to extend the opening hours of a new gym has been ‘called in’ to the city planning committee with “considerable concerns” remaining over operating hours.
Anytime Fitness replaced PF2 Health Club in Basin Road, Diglis, on September 2 and was allegedly open round the clock that day despite only legally being allowed to operate from 8am until 11pm.
Signage on the entrance also initially said ‘24/7’ but this has apparently now been removed.
The gym bosses applied for permission to open at 6am prior to the re-launch and, with the facility apparently already opening at that time regardless, ward councillor Lynn Denham has called in the application.
It will now come before the full planning committee for a decision by councillors, most likely on October 24, when objectors can also voice their concerns.
Cllr Denham said because the application is live, “planning enforcement on this matter is not possible.
“However, any evidence of breach of the permitted, or proposed, operating hours might be useful.”
She said: “There are still considerable concerns regarding possible hours of operation of the business in a residential area and the planning application is yet to be determined.”
Deputy chairman of Diglis Residents Group Nigel Lister said the gym owners have “totally ignored the rules and have driven the horse and carriages through it.”
“By following planning laws they are in breach of the franchise [which is 24/7],” he continued. “They shouldn’t have brought it here in the first place.”
Anytime Fitness did not provide a comment.
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