A NEW gym will not be coming to the outskirts of Winchester after a planning application was refused. 

PureGym wanted to convert the former Currys store in Moorside Retail Park in Winnall into a 24-hour gym.

However, Winchester City Council planning officers refused it using delegated powers. It was turned down because officers said it would drive people away from the city centre, which already has a large number of gyms. 

The plans received five objections, four supports and one neutral comment. 

In the planning officers' report, it said: “The proposal to use the existing unit as a gym is not considered to meet the sequential test and would therefore be contrary to policies. The proposal is also contrary to the adopted strategies of the local plan, which seek to support and enhance the vitality and viability of Winchester town centre and promote that area as the primary location for town centre uses.

READ MORE: Councillor calls for PureGym plan to be decided by planning committee

“The proposal would be contrary to WIN11 as it does not pass the sequential test and it is not considered that the use requires an out-of-centre location. The proposal also raises concerns in respect of the nature of traffic generation and travel patterns.”

Objecting were Winchester BID executive director Paul Spencer and Simon Turpin, asset manager for Yarrow Estates Ltd the long leaseholder of the Brooks Shopping Centre, which has Energie Fitness gym. 

Mr Spencer said: “A number of businesses have contacted Winchester Business Improvement District (BID) with concerns about this application and therefore we are writing to register our objection.

“The proposals would negatively impact the viability and vitality of the city centre, which already has a strong offer in this sector with a mix of gyms as well as health and fitness services. The proposals do not provide Winchester with something it is lacking and puts existing businesses in the city centre under pressure and at risk. 

“Our position is that we support the existing conditions which cover this site and restrict use to sale of garden, home improvement, electrical and pet products and no other purpose, and do not believe they should be varied.”

Cllr John Tippett-Cooper also raised concerns and initially called for the application to be decided by the planning committee. In the planning officers' report, it said: “The application is delegated because it has not received enough representations contrary to the recommendation, to be referred to planning committee.”

Currys closed the store in May last year after its lease expired. 

The gym would have been open 24 hours a day and provided 15 full and part-time jobs.