A Bath gym has applied to the council to continue operating after its temporary planning permission ran out.
CrossFit Bath has been based since May 2021 at premises at The Smallholdings in Claude Avenue, Twerton, that were formerly used by a scaffolding company.
It says if it is forced to close, it will have a “devastating impact”.
CrossFit had previously operated from temporary accommodation at Bath City FC at Twerton Park.
It moved there at the start of 2018 after eight years at Wansdyke Business Centre in Oldfield Park. CrossFit had been asked to leave there, along with other businesses based there, due to the proposed redevelopment of the site.
CrossFit’s move to The Smallholdings has allowed the gym to continue to serve its established customer base, which is predominantly centred in the Oldfield Park and Twerton area.
With just a short-term lease on the building, planning permission was granted by Bath & North East Somerset Council in 2022 for the change of use from a scaffolding business to a gym for a temporary period of 18 months.
CrossFit is now seeking full planning permission for the continued use of the application building as a gym as the temporary permission granted has expired, and it has reverted to its previous lawful use.
CrossFit’s planning application says the business has continued to grow and is now highly reputable and successful in its current location, which is a large single-storey industrial-style building with associated offices and a therapy studio.
Due to its success, its lease has been extended and CrossFit says it wants to stay there. It has not found anywhere else suitable and the planning application states: “If planning permission is not granted, this would lead to the loss of this community facility.
“This would have a devastating effect on the CrossFit community, and the health and wellbeing of these members.”
Addressing the loss of the lawful industrial use on the site, the planning application notes that local commercial websites show there are vacant industrial units within the Bath area so the continued use of the unit as a gym would not halt a new industrial business becoming established in the city, or an existing one from relocating.
The planning application does not propose any external alterations.
The deadline for comments is 30th May. The planning reference is 24/01694/FUL.
