A former gym in Formby could soon become a Greggs after plans were approved by Sefton Council.
The Everlast Gym on Liverpool Road in Formby closed its doors amid the pandemic in 2020 with the site having lain vacant ever since.
A planning application was submitted last year to convert the building into three units, housing a Greggs, Howdens and Screw Fix.
According to planning documents submitted to Sefton Council, the new stores could create 28 new jobs in the area with Howdens taking up the bulk of the space, followed by a smaller Screwfix and the Greggs.
Requesting permission for the change of use, the applicant Pegasus Group said the existing building would be largely unaltered by the plans, with layout changes to reflect the needs of the businesses.
49 car parking spaces would also be provided.
Some objections were received to the plans, with some local residents concerned at the extra traffic which could be brought about by the businesses, however, planning officers said that having reviewed the plans the council’s highways officers is “satisfied that proposal would not exacerbate any existing safety matters.”
Other objections stated there should be a supermarket instead at the site while another objection centred on fears around the impact of the development on property prices, although officers said these objections fell out of the remit of planning matters.
The environmental health officers also raised concerns about the hours provided for the Greggs, which originally was requested to start at 5am. However, following discussions with planning officers, it was agreed no deliveries would take place before 7am at the site.
Approving the proposals, planning officers said the plans formed an acceptable use for the building and can now go ahead.
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