Fitness facility at Unit 6 Northbrook Business Park, Worthing

What was proposed

The application sought to change business and storage space into a fitness facility with new windows and a door.

“Proposal: Change of use from business and storage (Use Classes Eg and B8) to fitness facility (Use Class E) with new fenestration including new windows and a door…”

Officer report

The site

The unit is within Northbrook Business Park, a protected key employment area forming part of a wider industrial and office estate.

“The site is located within Northbrook Business Park in Broadwater. The unit is located within the northern building in the centre. It forms part of Broadwater Business Park, a protected key employment area.”

“The Northbrook Business Park is part of a wider employment area - East Worthing Industrial Estate and Broadwater Business Park (including Northbrook Trading Estate and Northbrook Business Park).”

Officer report

The officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended refusal because the proposal lacked clear and robust evidence and would harm the functioning of the protected employment area.

“There are a number of similar applications which have been refused for fitness facilities / dance studios in protected employment areas including one at Unit 6 Northbrook Trading Estate (AWDM/1581/16), Southdownview Works (AWDM/1136/14) and more recently at 4 Woods Way in Goring (AWDM/0739/25). In all cases it was found that the change of use would result in an unacceptable loss of protected employment use.”

“REFUSE for the following reason: In the absence of clear and robust evidence to the contrary there is no justification for the loss of the existing premises in this Protected Key Employment Area from its existing employment use. If granted, the change of use would cause unacceptable harm to the functioning of this Key Employment Area and therefore the proposal is contrary to Local Plan policy DM11.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The highways authority and environmental health officer raised no objection, while drainage consultees raised no objection subject to requirements.

“Consultations West Sussex County Council (as LHA): The proposal for the change of use of the existing business and storage space to a fitness facility, has been considered by WSCC as the CHA. No objection is raised. The fitness facility will be used by the workforce at Boundary IT services who reside at the unit, and currently employ 10 people * [see Planning Officer Note below] ,who will make use of the facilities.”

“To make an application visit Southern Water's Get Connected service: https://developerservices.southernwater.co.uk and please read our New Connections Charging Arrangements documents which are available on our website via the following link: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/developing-building/connection-charging-arrangem ents We request that should this planning application receive planning approval, the following informative is attached to the consent: Construction of the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

Three registered speakers, including the Ward councillor, supported the application and said the lower floor was empty while the upper floor employed 15 staff.

Members’ debate

Members differed over whether the space should be marketed again or changed to a fitness use rather than remain empty.

“During debate some of the committee felt that since the premises had not been marketed since 2020 there should be further attempts to find a suitable occupier before a change of use class was granted. However, as the applicant had made it clear that they had no plans to do this, other Members felt it would be preferable to change its use class to allow the fitness facility rather than leave the premises empty.”

“The Officer advised Members that if they were minded to approve the application, in the event that the current occupiers vacated the premises entirely, a condition should specify that it should return to the previous class use.”

Minutes

The vote

Members voted 5–3 for a proposal to approve the application against the officer recommendation.

“A proposal was put forward to go against the Officer’s recommendation and approve the application. This was seconded and voted on with an outcome of 5 in favour and 3 against.”

Minutes

The decision

The recommendation was overturned and approval was deferred and delegated while officers prepared conditions.

“Decision - Recommendation Overturned. Defer and Delegate for approval.”

“Officers are to produce draft planning conditions and circulate to all Committee members prior to issuing approval. Conditions to include a requirement that the gymnasium use is at the ground floor only and must cease and revert to the 3”

Minutes

Conditions for approval

The proposed conditions limited the use to the ground floor, required reversion if the upper-floor business left, and addressed hours, noise and parking.

“The proposed fitness facility hereby permitted shall be situated on the ground floor only and shall only operate while the applicant’s company (Boundary IT services) remains in occupation on the first floor. Should the first floor use cease, then the ground floor shall revert to its previously approved use classes (B8 and Eg).”

“Reason: To ensure that sufficient parking is provided for the existing business on the first floor and proposed fitness facility on the ground floor…”

Minutes