Residents Unhappy About 24-hour Gym Proposal
Anytime Fitness submits application for unused office space on Bollo Lane
Residents concerned about noise and light pollution from the proposed gym
An application has been made to Ealing Council to convert unused office space at the ground floor of a residential development off Bollo Lane into a 24-hour gym.
Anytime Fitness UK wants permission for a change of use at Edmunds House on Colonial Drive which is close to Chiswick Park Station.
The proposal has met with a significant level of objections from residents of the building who are concerned about noise, light pollution, possible anti-social behaviour and the impact on the nearby Gunnersbury Triangle Nature Reserve.
At the time of writing 30 comments had been made on the application which were nearly all opposed to the plan.
The company says its proposal will create more employment opportunities for the local area. The gym would have three permanent staff members with at least one on site from 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Access will be given to members outside these hours with appropriate safety measures in place.
The 589 sqm unit was originally designated as office space but has not been used since it was given planning permission in 2012.
A report was commissioned by the applicant on the possible noise impact of the gym which concluded that the background music typically played might not cause significant disturbance to nearby flats but recommended that specific designs were used for wall and column linings near the weight machines.
The chain has over 185 franchised clubs across the UK in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.
Edmunds House. Picture: Google Streetview
An Anytime Fitness spokesperson said: "We can confirm that one of our franchisees has made a planning application with a view to opening an Anytime Fitness gym within Edmunds House. As a franchised business, ourselves and our franchisee are keen to work closely with the local community throughout the planning process.
“We appreciate that there may be questions from the residents of Edmunds House, particularly around the 24-hour operation of the business. We want to provide our reassurance that we have over 185 24-hour locations across the UK, many in similar developments as our proposed location in Chiswick. Our considerate construction process ensures we use state-of-the-art soundproofing and that the gym is securely monitored around-the-clock via CCTV and a 24-hour Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC).
“We await the decision of the planning application and hope we’re able to bring a new, community-focussed gym for the residents of Chiswick to enjoy.”
The application reference is 224169FUL.
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October 22, 2022
