A GYM will be allowed to remain in a warehouse it has used as a base for the past nine months.
The Sugar Rogue gym, that offers CrossFit and Hyrox workouts and training sessions, had already been forced to move once when it was told to stop using a nearby industrial unit.
It applied for retrospective planning permission to allow it to continue to operate from its new home in part of the large Unit 60 at the Springvale Industrial Estate in Cwmbran but planners had to consider policies intended to ensure industrial units remain available and employment opportunities can be supported.
Torfaen Borough Council’s planning department has now ruled while the application failed to meet two of the three relevant criteria of its policy on converting industrial units it could grant approval for the continued use as a gym.
Planning officer Justin Jones said in a report: “Sufficient evidence has been provided which demonstrates the proposal would not undermine the council’s objective of maintaining a choice and variety of industrial land.”
Thornhill Community Leisure Ltd
His report highlighted that the applicants, not-for-profit operator Thornhill Community Leisure Ltd, had provided evidence from the estate agents that marketed the unit it doesn’t meet current commercial demand and is also aging.
The gym occupies 10 per cent of the 85,517 square foot unit meaning other areas could still be let to other occupiers or the whole building if necessary as the gym only rents the space it uses.
The report, from estate agents Knight Frank stated most demand across South Wales is either for units under 3,000 square foot or of more than 10,000 and there is “strong demand” for alternative uses such as gyms and nurseries for industrial and storage units.
It also said there was, when the report was submitted in July, 94,988 sqft available to let on Springvale Industrial Estate across 12 units ranging in size from 1,500 sqft to 36,500 sqft which it said demonstrated immediate and ongoing demand can be met.
The planning department had previously demanded Sugar Rouge stop using a unit at nearby Woodside Park and launched enforcement proceedings over the unauthorised change from industrial use, prompting its move in February.
‘Health, strength and belonging’
A spokeswoman for Sugar Rouge gym said it was pleased to secure planning approval: “Throughout the process our members, coaches and local supporters stood firmly with us, and their commitment has been a powerful reminder of what Sugar Rogue represents, a resilient community built around health, strength and belonging.
“With approval now secured, we are focused entirely on growth. We will be expanding our programmes, investing back into the facility and continuing our mission to provide a high performance training space that welcomes all levels, from complete beginners to competitive athletes.”
If the building is no longer required as a gym it can revert back to being classed as for storage and industrial use without the need for planning permission.