A gym and “well-being café” is planned for land adjacent to Pensarn Pleasure Beach. Louis Jones has applied to Conwy County Council, seeking planning permission to relocate a local gym, Pilgrim Fitness, from Pensarn Industrial Estate to the land by moving the current “demountable (movable) building”.
The applicant is hoping to expand his company by providing water sports equipment hire and training and a new café’. Planning officers have advised councillors that the planning application for the site between Sea Road and the railway should be granted, but planning committee members will have the final say at tomorrow’s Bodlondeb meeting.
The site is predominantly surfaced with tarmac, although it is heavily overgrown with brambles and vegetation. If the application gets the go-ahead, the gym will be situated near the centre of the plot, measuring 12.2m by 7.3m with a height of approximately 5.0m at the eaves and 5.6m at the ridge.
The applicant wants to place the café on the gym’s northern side with external seating beneath a canopy, together with a roof terrace.
There will also be a smaller building used for water sports hire.
In a planning statement, the applicant’s agent said: “Pilgrim Fitness have reviewed their long-term plan for the business, and where they currently lease is not financially viable for the foreseeable future.
“Pilgrim would like to move their premises to a larger site that is prominent to the public to attract more members and expand the business as the current location is not visible for passers-by.
“This site is 800m from their existing location and would provide a long-term solution for the business.
“Pilgrim sought planning permission in 2019 for a site in Abergele Town Centre (Pen y Bont Yard), but that was deemed unsuitable as they were advised that the proposed operating hours were unsuitable.
“Since that application, the applicant has actively searched for new properties, but there have been no viable properties available within the town that offer what is needed from a location, parking, and safety perspective.
“Pilgrim intends to diversity the fitness business by not only being a gym but by growing into a water sport and activity centre.”
Nick Williams, owner of the Pantri Bach Café and The Beach Café expressed concerns about the proposed development. In a letter to the council, he said: “Firstly as a café owner and employer of over 30 staff, I am concerned the well-being café will become an ice cream and fast food outlet, and obviously this will impact business on the promenade, but more importantly will be a safety issue, regarding pedestrians crossing a road on the corner.”
