THE owner of a gym in Kidderminster which was refused planning permission says he is "very confident" a new application will be approved. 

Foundry Gym's retrospective planning application to change the use of the former Brintons Carpet Factory site, on Stourport Road, from industrial to gym use, was recently turned down by Wyre Forest District Council.

The local authority said it refused the retrospective application for the gym, which has been in operation since February this year, for reasons relating to its location in the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park, as well as highway safety concerns.

Now, Joe Bland, founder of the gym chain, which has sites across the region, said that "correct information" has been provided "in detail" in a new retrospective application submitted to the council. 

Mr Bland said: "We are very confident the new application will be successful.

"All the correct information has been provided in detail.

"The support from local residents and members has been tremendous".

People had raised objections to the plans with some highlighting conflicts with planning policies, parking and highway concerns, and the impact on other gyms close by.

Mr Bland previously described the council's decision to turn down planning permission as "very upsetting" news.

He said: "We will be appealing this decision as we feel that everything within our power has been done to create a safe and motivating environment.

"The astronomical uptake in memberships since we have opened is clear evidence Kidderminster was desperate for a state of the art gym.

"Just over seven per cent of the 60,000 population of Kidderminster have signed up to be members at foundry gym since opening".

"We took the property on in a derelict and run down state.

"Since then we have brought it back to life, investing heavily to create what we have today.

"This can only be a positive thing for the local community and surrounding businesses".

As part of the refusal notice, Wyre Forest Dsitrict Council's planning manager said: "As a scheme that proposes the re-use of a B2 unit to a gym (Use Class E(d)), the proposal is required to be supported by an appropriate financial appraisal and evidence of marketing the unit as a B2 use for a minimum period of 12 months and a sequential test and impact assessment to demonstrate that there would be no adverse impact on the vitality and viability of Kidderminster town centre.

"In the absence of this evidence it cannot be ascertained that the change of use is appropriate in the South Kidderminster Enterprise Park (SKEP), and is additionally contrary to the social, environmental and economic objectives of sustainable development contained within the NPPF".

The planning manager added: "It has not been demonstrated that the proposed development can meet the parking standards set out in the WCC Streetscape Design Guide and accurate and consistent information has not been provided.

"The resulting displacement parking onto the highway in an area with known parking issues represents a significant highway safety hazard, the implications of which are unacceptable."