Decision due on plans to open a new gym on an industrial estate in Hartlepool

Almost 30 letters of support have been received by Hartlepool Borough Council planning department for the proposals at unit 9a in Park View Road West.

Submitted by Mr Ashley McFee, the plans state the site would be a CrossFit focused facility running ‘small, professional and well taught fitness classes’ led by qualified trainers.

The unit at Park View Industrial Estate is currently empty and was last used as a tyre fitting facility.

The proposals are to go before the council planning committee on Wednesday (October 7) for a decision to be made.

To date 28 letters of support have been received to the plans, along with three objections.

A report from council senior planning officer Jane Tindall ahead of the meeting has recommended that the plans are given the go ahead by councillors.

In the report she said: “Given that the proposals would bring a vacant unit back into use, the principle of the development is on balance considered to be acceptable.”

A planning statement submitted by the applicant states that the proposals would provide a facility which would benefit the community and help improve the health and wellbeing of people in the area.

It said: “By providing a CrossFit focused facility and also our eventual aim to expand on this, we will be running small, professional and well taught fitness classes led by qualified trainers.

“The gym will provide its members with long life friendships, relationships and building a strong, social and friendly community.

“The aim is to provide a service that serves the community and integrates different people to help push their health and wellbeing to the forefront of their agenda.”

The plans also reference the Covid-19 pandemic and how ‘it is now well known that our health and fitness is key to fighting any disease and illness we face’.

Objections submitted to the proposals include concerns raised by staff at nearby CrossFit Telic, also based at Park View Industrial Estate, who state the new site could increase parking issues.

They said: “This is not a unique facility coming to the area as we already provide this full service to the residents, families and businesses in this area. We have been established for seven years.

“My main concern is parking…I can only see massive disruptions for all the business concerned in the compound.”

However the council’s highway, traffic and transport section said they have no objection to the proposals.

Meanwhile the 28 letters of support submitted state the proposals would provide jobs and revenue for the area, help prevent obesity and health issues, and support a small family run business.

A decision will be made on the proposals at the planning committee meeting on Wednesday, October 7, streamed live via YouTube from 9.30am.

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