Plans for a gym in a Dumfries retail park look set to be given the green light.
NewRiver, which owns Cuckoo Bridge, wants to bring The Gym Group to an empty unit that was previously used by Laura Ashley.
It has applied for change of use for the property from retail to gym, with a report for Thursday’s planning applications committee recommending councillors grant approval.
NewRiver has previously indicated The Gym Group development represents a £600,000 investment and would create 15 jobs.
Case officer Andrew Robinson’s report says that a planning and retail statement reveals a “comprehensive” search for a suitable site in Dumfries town centre failed to bear fruit.
Planning conditions mean that the unit can only be used for “bulky goods retailing” but, despite several firms having been approached, there has been “no meaningful market interest” in taking on the site.
They also claim that the impact of the gym “on the vitality and viability of Dumfries will be negligible”.
And a gym needs assessment claims Dumfries requires at least another two gyms by 2026 and another five by 2031.
But objectors disagree.
The council has received 32 representations – all against the proposal – with many of them claiming there is not a need for another gym in the town.
They believe the needs assessment misses out seven existing gyms – including the council’s own DG One.
They also fear the development will take people out of the town centre and the new jobs will be taken by people currently working at other fitness facilities.
Mr Robinson believes the applicants have “undertaken a reasonable assessment” of sites in the town centre, with valid reasons as to why they are not suitable.
And while the proposal would not be supporting the town centre, Mr Robinson feels it is “unlikely” the gym would have “a significant individual or cumulative adverse effect on the vitality and viability of the town centre”.
He also doesn’t believe a gym at Cuckoo Bridge would lead to similar businesses looking to move out of the town centre and agrees that the facility – which would be open 24/7 – addresses a gap in the market.
And he is not concerned about the loss of bulky goods retail space.
In conclusion, Mr Robinson says there is “substantially more compelling information” for this development than a previous bid to turn the unit into a gym that was rejected three years ago.
He recommends approval with conditions, including details of cycle parking.
NewRiver is also working on a separate planning application to bring Food Warehouse – part of the Iceland chain – to a different unit at Cuckoo Bridge.
