Agenda item

The Senior Development Management Officer introduced planning application number 137095 – workshop adjacent Ranyard Signs, Brigg Road, Caistor LN7 6RX - Planning application for change of use from industrial use-B2 to gym-D2.

There was a communication given to the committee on behalf of Councillor Lewis Strange, who supported the application on three main grounds:

1.    Employment in an area short of jobs;

2.    Health and wellbeing;

3.    With the closure of Caistor Yarborough School, this would replace the outgoing facilities.

In the report, the gym site was mentioned as being 900 metres from the centre of Caistor.  This distance was likely to be ‘as the crow flies’; a more reliable walking distance would be 1.2 kilometres.

Parish Councillor Steve Critten, of Caistor Town Council spoke to the application, highlighting the following points:

·         When related specifically to the Caistor NP, the following policies have been satisfied:

o   Policy 1 – the applicant had kept Caistor Town Council and the local community informed at all times, as well as involving other community groups, such as the fire service;

o   Policy 3 – the proposal involved an existing unit that will not be changed externally;

o   Policy 6 – this was a conversion of an existing business unit that had been empty for several years;

o   Policy 7 – the proposal brought an improvement to existing facilities as they were being closed down at both Caistor Yarborough and Caistor Grammar Schools;

o   Policy 8 – if the application would have been turned down, it would have led to their being no fitness facilities within 10 miles;

o   Policy 2 – most of the homes within Caistor are within 1.4 kilometres of the gym.  The policy itself relates to residential units being 800 metres from the market place, and was deemed not relevant to the application.

·         One of the conditions of application 136715 was a 1.2 metre wide footpath to connect the town to log cabins sited on Brigg Road.  This had now been completed, and allows pedestrian access all the way to the gym;

·         The gym can only add to the prosperity of Caistor, and would be good for the younger generation.

Mrs Amy Atkins then spoke to the application as the applicant, and highlighted the following points:

·         There were nine other potential sites within Caistor for the gym, but all were unsuitable for a variety of reasons;

·         There were a range of activities available at the gym, for all ages;

·         CPR training was available free to the community, once a month;

·         The gym was currently situated 1.2 kilometres from the town centre.  The walk from the local housing development was approximately 10 minutes.  Public transport was available in the area;

·         The gym created new jobs and opportunities in the area;

·         The nearest other gyms were available in Market Rasen, Brigg and Grimsby, as Caistor Yarborough School gym was due to close in May 2018;

·         There were 840 members of the gym; throughout 2017 there were 18.469 visits captured on the clubwise member management system.  This averaged  50 visits a day;

·         80% of members were from Caistor and the surrounding villages; 10% travel from Market Rasen, and the remaining 10% were from further afield;

·         There were 180 letters of support, and 520 support signatures from the local community;

·         Sir Edward Leigh MP and Growth Lincolnshire both showed their support on the grounds of health and wellbeing, as well as the training and employment opportunities;

·         The gym had taken on 5 apprenticeships since opening;

·         The gym can lead to new friendships and the formation of stronger communities.

Note: Councillor Thomas Smith declared a non-pecuniary interest as he was Armed Forces Champion for WLDC and the applicant had stated a background in the military.

The recommendation to approve the planning application was moved, seconded and voted upon and it was AGREED that planning permission be GRANTED with the conditions as set out in the report.