Plans to turn former Sports Direct gym, in Moreton Hall, Bury St Edmunds, into builders' merchant approved by West Suffolk Council

Plans to turn a former gym in Bury St Edmunds into a builders' merchant have been approved, but councillors say their hands were tied.

West Suffolk councillors discussed the plans this morning, submitted by K/S Cratfield, to turn the former Sports Direct Fitness site, on the Moreton Hall estate, into a national builders' merchant.

The former gym, in Easlea Road, closed in August 2023 due to high costs after an application to turn it into a retail space was refused in January of the same year.

Leading up to the meeting, several residents and community representatives shared their objections to the plans due to Moreton Hall's need for gym and swimming facilities.

John Spittle, whose statement was read out during the meeting, said the former gym's pool was used extensively by residents and pointed out there was little choice for swimming.

He said: "It seems incredible to shut down what was a popular gym and pool, which enabled Bury residents to keep fit all year round, and replace it with yet another builders' merchants.

"Instead, the council should take over the facility as a gym and pool for the use of residents."

Melanie Soanes, chairwoman of the Moreton Hall Residents’ Association, and Cllr Birgitte Mager, the ward member, both submitted statements to councillors objecting to the plans.

Bury St Edmunds Town Council recommended approval.

Dan Hewett, the agent, said the site had not generated any employment since closing down and stressed there was no interest from other gym providers to take over the site.

Planning papers said the new business would employ as many as 25 people and have five zones - a yard, a warehouse for large items, a warehouse for small product storage, a showroom and an office.

As part of the application, a year-long marketing campaign was carried out advertising the site for a lease — the papers said gym chains were all approached but denied having interest.

When it came to debating, most councillors who spoke said they regretted the closure of the former gym and recognised the need for it in the area.

Cllr Sara Mildmay-White said: "It's completely bonkers, we're building fast food outlets on every roundabout into Bury, we know we've got an obesity crisis.

"This just sums up Britain - buy a hamburger but don't go to the gym or swim, treat your children to a McDonald's but don't take them swimming because there's nowhere to swim, it drives me mad.

"That is not a planning issue sadly, I can have my rant, but in planning terms I feel that my hands are tied, but it's very disappointing."

Despite the need for the facilities, the lack of interest led to officers concluding there were no 'policy-based reasons to resist the application'.

Cllr Marilyn Sayer, member for Bury, said: "This is a head and heart situation. We know that we would really like to keep these facilities, but it seems everything is stacking up against it.

"Unfortunately, I think the applicant has done everything possible to try to market this for rent and with no other option, I think we might have to allow this through, but it's really very much against what the residents want and what common sense tells us."

Councillors voted to back the officer's recommendation for approval, subject to conditions, with 11 votes for, two against and three abstentions.