'Serious lack of parking' among concerns over plan for large gym in Priors Way

Parish councillors have objected to a plan to turn an empty warehouse into a large gym – citing parking concerns.

At a meeting of the Bray Parish Council on Monday at Braywood Memorial Hall, councillors recommended proposals for the new gym in the Priors Way industrial estate for refusal because of the limited parking on site.

The planning application looks to convert the vacant space – previously used for filming – into a ‘modern fitness facility serving the local community’.

Muscle Massacre Ltd, the applicant, would operate a premium fitness facility in the trade park.

Over 130 pieces of fitness equipment have been promised for customers, such as heavy strength training machines, cardiovascular equipment zones, free weight areas and specialised functional training equipment.

According to a design and access statement, ‘generous servicing arrangements’ would be allocated for the gym, including eight parking spaces.

But residents came forward with objections, claiming the parking is too limited for the high numbers of gym-goers expected throughout the day.

One Priors Way resident, Gary Nash, objected the plans because of the limited parking on site and the potential increase in traffic congestion around the area.

He said: “There is a serious lack of parking on the industrial estate and if the application is approved, it will only add to the parking issues and increase in traffic flow.

“The road itself has cars parked all over the place and vehicles already race dangerously up and down like it is a racetrack.”

The plans encourage residents to use alternative ‘sustainable transport modes’ such as cycling, bus and railway services.

Mr Nash added: “Realistically, the majority of potential customers will drive to the site and will not walk or cycle as the planning application is implying.

“The majority will drive and park, hence the car park is always full [at] peak times [and] horrendous traffic chaos.”

Parish councillors agreed that the limited parking was a concern.

Councillor Joanna Filipczak-Korczak said: “Priors Way has a huge, massive problem with parking already, as it is now.

“[The application] also said they [the gym] have eight parking spaces but they are prepared to buy 130 pieces of equipment. The maths is not adding up.

“It’s just not right for residents… the parking is not sufficient.”

The planning application states the gym will only ‘generate modest additional traffic’ that would not conflict with school drop off and pick up times.

Braywick Court School and Holyport Primary School are both less than a mile away from the proposed gym.

But one objection submitted to the Royal Borough said that if the plans are approved ‘it would generate significant vehicle movements and parking needs.’

It said: “The application has stated the train station is approximately one mile away – Google shows it around 1.5 miles away and a 35 minute walk. The statement is disingenuous and, in my view, not accurate.

“If approved it would force parking into the residential area – both the residential area and the trade park already suffers from significant on-road parking.”

Muscle Massacre could not be reached for comment.

The application will be decided by the Royal Borough at a later date.