SNAP Fitness has been given permission by Cotswold District Council (CDC) to build a new gym in Cirencester, despite an outcry by neighbours.

Snap Fitness 24/7, a worldwide chain with gyms in Bristol and Gloucester, could be opening at the vacant job centre, Forum House in South Way after developers MSG Life Ltd gained approval for a change of use of the job centre (Class A2) to a gym (Class D2).

The application submitted in June was originally for a 24-hour gym, but the hours were scaled back in July, to 6am to 11pm daily, after a backlash from neighbours.

There are currently has 18 parking spaces at the site, and floor plans show areas for free weights, cardio, seated cardio, fixed resistance, stretching, functional space, a studio and a reception.

Councillors on CDC’s planning committee considered the change of use application on Wednesday and voted to permit the plans.

During this week’s meeting, Fergus Sykes, senior planner at Pegasus Group, told councillors that despite concerns over the location, the gym would be “located in the centre of Cirencester, where health and fitness centres are expected to be located”.

He continued: “Given its location within the centre, a reasonably high number of customers will walk or run to the gym or use public transport.”

He added that the gym would help improve footfall in the area.

But David Prewett, representing residents who live behind Forum House in West Way, said a new gym would “totally destroy the quality of life for residents”.

He said: “At the rear is Westway, a narrow road with no footpaths. Forum House was for 20 years a job centre. Parking at the back was strictly for staff. This application seeks an unlimited number of vehicles.

“There are three existing gyms in the town already. We ask you (councillors) to support residents’ quality of life and road safety.”

CDC ward councillor Joe Harris who could not attend the meeting wrote in a letter that he supported the principle of the application but shared residents’ concerns about road safety and parking, particularly with the lack of pavements in West Way.

He suggested that in order to maintain the tranquillity of the road, only gym staff should be allowed to use the site’s 18 car parking bays.

A CDC case officer for the application however assured members of the planning group that the application falls within highways safety guidelines and reminded councillors that the building already has an established use.

He explained that the use of the gym was “likely to be fairly low scale”.

He said: “It is a relatively small gym in comparison to Simone’s gym (Active4Less). The floor area there was just under 500 square metres. Over two floors, this application covers 684 square metres, so not a great deal larger.”

Answering queries about noise, he said: “I think it is fairly thought through where (the air conditioning units) are going, which is at the rear of the building. It would be opposite the access to the Wheatsheaf Inn car park, so not strictly adjacent to properties.

“The noise levels that are being permitted are 30 decibels, which is background noise level in the town centre, which would be expected.”

Cllr Sue Coakley said she supported the application: “There is a demand for low cost gyms. This is a town centre location. You would expect it to be busy and you would expect background noise.

“There is adequate car parking for the number of users expected at the site when you look at the indicative usage patterns.

“I think this could be a better outcome than other alternatives that may come forward.”

Cllr David Fowles proposed later opening times in the weekend, from 7am on Saturday and 8am on Sunday.

He said: “That part of town is actually quite quiet at night.

“Anything we can do to mitigate traffic movements would help. We could suggest some of the spaces at the back is restricted for staff use.

“I wonder whether we can restrict the hours even if it is for the weekend.

“I applaud the idea of using this space for a gym but I am very concerned about the details.”

Cllr Fowles' proposal was supported by Cllr Ray Brassington and Cllr Patrick Coleman

But Cllr Mark Mackenzie-Charrington said: “I think we need to set aside the fear that these people will cause disturbance.

“Everybody is assuming that everyone is going to come in a car."

Cllr Mark Harris also went against Cllr Fowles’ suggestion, saying that he supported a gym with longer opening hours: “If I was to leave the gym I’m currently going to, it would be for a gym with greater opening hours.”

Only three of 15 councillors voted in favour of reducing the gym’s opening hours in the weekend.

12 councillors voted to permit the application as it was. There was one vote against the application, and two abstentions.

Snap Fitness have also lodged an application for illuminated signs to be displayed by the entrance of the building. This will be decided by CDC.

Cirencester Town Council however raised objections to the design of the signs on Thursday, September 14, despite amendments to the original application to remove a large sign.

The town council's planning group decided to maintain their previous comment which said that the signs were "too large and not in keeping with the street scene. Also members would like to see non-illuminated signs”.