Plans to transform old LIDL site into a 24-hour gym at The Junction

PLANS have been lodged with Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council to turn the old vacant LIDL premises at The Junction into a 24-hour gym.

Such a development, along with the re-opening of a restaurant which closed down suddenly earlier this summer, will be good news for the retail park after the shock news that garden centre giant Dobbies is to withdraw from the facility.

The application site is located at Unit 8 (No. 142) The Junction Retail Park, Antrim and comprises an existing retail unit previously occupied by discounted retailer LIDL.

The subject unit has remained vacant since LIDL vacated the building early 2018 to occupy a new purpose-built superstore approximately 110m southeast of the application site.

A supporting document from agents TSA Planning said: “The subject building is comprised of a single storey elongated building of standard construction and is finished on three sides with blockwork and glazing on the principal elevation which fronts onto the existing car park.

“The subject unit stands within an area of hardstanding which comprises a large car park area associated with the previous retail use of the site and adjacent Homebase.

“The immediate surrounding area, is comprised mostly of retail uses, with a number of (other) uses to include a hotel, restaurants and drive-thru restaurants. Enkalon Business Park is located towards the southwest of the site.

“This Full Planning Application is for the part change of use of the subject unit from an existing vacant retail unit to accommodate commercial gym provider ‘PureGym’. PureGym is the UK’s largest gym group with over 380 sites and more than one million members.

“The nearest existing PureGym site is at Ballymena, more than 10 miles from Antrim. PureGym’s success is based on the providing access to high-quality fitness facilities on an affordable and flexible, no-contract basis.

“Every gym provides an excellent range of fitness equipment and machinery, with a range of gym classes and other services such as personal training.

“Gyms operate on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, allowing members to fit exercise around their lifestyles and working patterns, including those who work shift patterns such as key workers.

“This affordable and flexible offer has supported the strong expansion of the sector and growing participation in fitness activities.

“The subject unit is comprised of blockwork on three elevations and a glazed frontage facing the existing car park. The proposal requires minimal external amendments which are limited to the implementation of four windows and a set of double glazed doors to the southeastern side elevation.

“All other ancillary arrangements such as car parking and site access arrangements are to remain as existing.

“The proposed use as a gym will not result in a clustering of non-retail uses, nor will the area be dominated by such a use. The subject unit has remained vacant since 2018 and given the mix of uses in the area it is considered that a gym would be compatible with the surrounding area.

“The proposed gym is sustainably located to serve the general public/customers and is sufficiently served by existing car parking provision to accommodate any traffic generation to and from the site.

“The proposal will be complementary to the existing retail park, benefitting from the already passing trade of the wider Junction complex, whilst also attracting new customers to the area.

“Additionally, it is relevant to note that Unit 58 which is adjacent to The Junction retail complex was previously granted planning permission for the change of use from a soft play area to a gym.”

In terms of traffic and parking, the document continued: “There are no changes proposed to the parking, servicing or access arrangements. In this regard, the application is supported by a Transport Assessment Form (TAF) prepared by MRA Partnership.

“The TAF confirms that the use of the subject building as a gym would create less trips than the previous discounted food retailer use.

“It is considered that the current car parking arrangements serving the existing Junction retail park can adequately accommodate this proposal and will not prejudice road safety or significantly inconvenience the flow to road users.

“The proposed gym use is to be enclosed within an individual unit that does not serve another business or lie adjacent to any other sensitive receptor.

“The subject unit is located centrally within a retail park and the closest residential properties are located approximately 250 metres southwest of the site.

“The closest neighbouring land use is a retail unit occupied by Homebase. Therefore, given the isolated nature of the subject unit, it is not considered that the proposed gym use would create a level of noise that would significantly impact upon any neighbouring land use.

“Overall, given the surrounding context, it is not considered that the proposed development would necessitate the need for a Noise Impact Assessment in this instance.”

The document said that the proposed development will utilise the existing drainage network and as such a drainage layout is not necessary and it is proposed that the development will continue to discharge at the same discharge rate, into the same existing network that it has been since the site was first constructed over 15 years ago.

The application site is unaffected by the 1 in 100 year fluvial flood plain.

The document continued: “ To conclude, as set out above, we consider that this proposal should be considered acceptable in principle at this location, with no significant impact to the local amenity.

“The proposal will occupy part of a retail unit, with the remaining unit to remain vacant.

“Additionally, car park and access arrangements will remain as existing, with the proposal expected to generate considerably less traffic than the previous retailer.

“Overall, the proposal as submitted is considered acceptable and in compliance with all relevant material considerations.”