Plans to transform a derelict kitchen showroom on Scarborough's Seamer Road into a 24-hour PureGym and a Greggs bakery have been approved by North Yorkshire Council.
A derelict former kitchen showroom in Scarborough is set to be given a new lease of life after plans to open a twenty-four-hour gym and a Greggs bakery were approved.
The site, previously home to the Magnet Kitchen Showroom on Seamer Road, has sat redundant and vacant for some time. The brownfield location is situated approximately three kilometres southwest of Scarborough town centre.
North Yorkshire Council has now given the green light for a development that will involve the demolition of a small portion of the existing building. The remaining structure will undergo significant refurbishment and will be subdivided to create three separate commercial units, which will include the national bakery chain Greggs and the fitness operator PureGym.
A spokesperson for PureGym explained the company's interest in the coastal location, noting that as the largest gym operator in the United Kingdom, they require sites with a minimum of fifty parking spaces immediately adjacent to the entrance.
PureGym stated:
"Our business is rapidly growing and reflects the growth of the affordable fitness sector within the UK. We currently have dispersed representation in North Yorkshire with gaps in provision in coastal areas."
During the planning process, council officers noted that the primary consideration was whether redeveloping the out-of-town site would cause a significant adverse impact on the vitality or viability of Scarborough's town centre.
Planning officers concluded:
"There are no existing opportunities within the Scarborough town centre that comprise suitable, available, and viable alternatives to the application site."
The application did face some local pushback, with concerns raised regarding business competition and the potential negative impact on other independent and established gyms in the local area.
However, council officers dismissed these objections, clarifying that complaints regarding competition with local businesses do not constitute legitimate planning issues.
The planning officers said:
"The planning system focuses on land use and built form, not private financial interests."
A council report highlighted that the redundant Seamer Road site in its current state has a negative impact on the surrounding area. The building has been heavily subjected to vandalism during its period of vacancy, which has resulted in a severely deteriorated appearance.
The report added:
"The proposed scheme presents an opportunity to enhance the appearance of the building and site in which it is situated."
The redevelopment application was officially approved by North Yorkshire Council, subject to a number of planning conditions.
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