Copyright dailyrecord
A new gym venture has been approved for the Cessnock Road area of Hurlford. Council planners have given their blessing to a change of use request at a former warehouse at 65 Cessnock Road. Agent in the proposals was ADNR and the applicant was KWX Holdings. Council papers detailed the background to the proposals, saying: “The application site is a former warehouse unit located at the eastern end of Cessnock Road. The unit is located within an existing business/industrial facility on ‘white’ land within the Hurlford settlement boundary.” The report continues: “The proposed development seeks planning permission for a change of use from a former warehouse to a gym at 65 Cessnock Road, Hurlford, East Ayrshire. “The site is located within the settlement boundary of Hurlford. The proposed development does not include any external alterations to the building.” It is understood that a site closer to the town centre of Hurlford could not be sourced, with the report noting: “The applicant has provided a sequential test, albeit brief, indicating that there are no suitable premises within the Hurlford town centre that would be suitable for the proposed use. “The Hurlford town centre is limited in size and the premises are generally small retail/service premises unsuitable for a gym use. “The application site provides appropriate space, access and parking, whilst remaining within walking distance of the residents in the local area. Therefore the proposed location represents a sequentially appropriate and sustainable site for the gym use. “The positive attributes of the application site which, although in an out of town centre location, are its accessibility and its good connection links via public transport and sustainable travel methods. “It is noted that, in general, gyms tend to have quite specific spatial requirements which can be difficult to accommodate within town centres. Industrial units tend to be best fit in terms of internal dimensions, flexibility of the space, ceiling height and general capacity.” In approving the plan, with conditions, the report adds: “The proposal is considered to be generally acceptable under the terms of the relevant policies of the development plan. Having considered all the material considerations highlighted within this report, there are none that would warrant the refusal of the application.”
