Belfast City Council has approved two new gyms in the north and west of the city.
A week before Northern Ireland eases restrictions to allow gyms and swimming pools to open for individual training, the council’s planning committee gave the go-ahead to new facilities on Ballysillan Road and at the listed Conway Mill building, off Falls Road.
The Ballysillan Road plan involves a change of use from a retail furniture showroom to a fitness and exercise training centre.
The gym will consist of two rooms, one as the main gym space with a second studio area to be used for organised classes.
The application was neighbour-notified, advertised in the local press, and no letters of objection or support were received by the council.
The Department for Infrastructure’s Roads Division was also consulted and offered no objection, subject to a condition being attached relating to the provision for cycle parking.
The Conway Street plan involves a refurbishment of the ground floor and part of the first floor of the Conway Mill complex to provide a new training gym with elevational changes.
The council planning report states: “It is considered that the proposed change of use and alterations will not adversely impact the character and appearance of the surrounding area, and will not impact on surrounding neighbouring properties.”
No objections were received by the council and the statutory consultees offered no objection.
The Mill Building is currently in use by up to 65 different community groups and small enterprises. A local museum is also housed within the adjoining outbuilding to the proposed site.
A boxing club already established within the principal Mill Building is planned to move to an adjoining outbuilding.
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