Fitness studio hours at 7 Medina Road, Southampton

The site and surroundings

The site contains a detached two-storey family house in a residential area with generous gardens, nearby garages and a rear bungalow.

“The application site contains a detached, two storey family dwelling house. The property is located in a residential area with a mixture of dwelling houses types and a suburban character. The area is characterised by generous garden sizes. The neighbouring plot of no.5 has been split with a bungalow erected to the rear of the garden. To the rear of the property there are garages.”

“Planning approval was granted under application 20/01112/FUL for the construction of an outbuilding in the rear garden of 7 Medina Road. The outbuilding has a flat roof construction, and measures 9.3m wide x 7.0m deep x 4.75m high.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions approved the outbuilding and its use as a fitness studio for up to eight people, with restricted weekday evening hours and no weekend use.

“Planning permission was then granted under reference 21/00727/FUL for the construction of an outbuilding in the rear garden and use as a fitness studio for up to 8 people (as an amendment to planning permission 20/01112/FUL).”

“Notwithstanding the Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987 (as amended) or any Order revoking, amending, or re-enacting that Order, the development hereby approved shall only be used for fitness classes between the following times: Monday to Friday - 1730-2100 only A maximum of up to 8 clients shall attend a fitness class at any one time. Reason: In the interest of the amenities of neighbouring occupiers.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

Fourteen representations included thirteen objections about the residential setting, parking, noise, disturbance, consultation and alleged breaches, alongside one supporting response.

“Consultation Responses and Notification Representations 5.1 Following the receipt of the planning application a publicity exercise in line with department procedures was undertaken which included notifying adjoining and nearby landowners, and erecting a site notice 28.08.2025. A re-consultation took place in November 2025 following further clarification of the proposed hours.”

“Noise and disturbance: Classes and events create significant noise late into the evenings and weekends from traffic, conversations, and group arrivals/departures. Response Impact on neighbouring properties will be assessed in Section 6 below.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant addressed the Panel with the Chair’s permission.

The Panel’s debate

The Panel considered clearer limits for the intensified use and rejected a proposal for one-year temporary permission by two votes to four.

“The presenting officer reported that Condition 2 (restricted use) was to be amended to provide better clarify the limits of the intensified use. In addition, Cllr Wood requested to add a requirement to keep a logbook of classes and visitors.”

“Cllr Blatchford put forward a recommendation to add a condition for a temporary permission for one year in order to monitor the intensified use. This vote was 2 votes for and 4 votes against.”

Minutes

The vote

The amended recommendation was carried, with three councillors voting for, two against and one abstaining.

“The Panel then considered the recommendation that the application be conditionally approved subject to criteria listed in the report as amended. Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as amended were carried.”

“FOR: Councillors Cox, Harwood, Windle AGAINST: Councillors Blatchford, Wood ABSTAINED: Councillor Kenny…”

Minutes

The final decision

Planning permission was approved with amended limits on hours, sessions, participants, workshops and a logbook requirement.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be approved subject to the conditions set out within the report and any additional or amended conditions set out below:”

“- Fitness-based classes (such as pole, aerial hoop, and aerial silks) shall be limited to no more than 8 participants. - There shall be a minimum of 15 minutes intervals between classes. - Not more than six group fitness sessions shall take place on weekdays. - Not more than two group fitness sessions shall take place on Saturday mornings, and no group fitness classes shall take place on Sundays. - Ancillary floor-based or discussion-based workshops (e.g.”

Minutes