Gym plans in Ayr's Kincaidston given green light by council

Jamie Sanderson, from Jump Start Personal Training, had applied to South Ayrshire Council seeking a change of use for a former carpet showroom on Weir Road. 

The personal trainer wanted to expand his current offering just down the road, to meet the "growing demand" for fitness in the area.

He said: “We feel this would be a great opportunity for us as a business to allow us to grow and have a bigger space for us to store and keep our equipment.

"The proposed changes are limited to modernisation of the interior of the building and do not involve any structural alterations.

“This transition will not have any major noise disturbances to the surrounding area as we will be putting all effort into minimising it with top end equipment.

“We are committed to supporting the wider community, promoting health and wellbeing and currently the community benefits through our support to Kincaidston Community Centre.

“We facilitate weekly sessions within the area for young people which supports emotional wellbeing, inclusion, reduces isolation and feeds into the strategy being delivered by the community team.”

Mr Sanderson said that having a larger space will allow for more equipment to be used by the youngsters. 

The new gym would be operating from 7am in the morning until 8pm at night, according to planning documents. 

Council planners have now given their backing to the proposals, saying that the development represents the "reuse" of a currently vacant industrial unit.

Approval documents said: "It is noted that the unit has been vacant for a number of years as the owner has struggled to lease or sell the unit for industrial purposes.

“Due to the relative small scale operating of the proposed development, the size of the unit, and the fact it has been vacant for a number of years, it is considered that the proposed use shall revitalise a redundant unit by introducing a facility which would be to the benefit of the wider economy.”