Work is taking place to create a contemporary new fitness studio and café in Churchtown in Southport.
The scheme aims to “enhance and improve the local area through a high quality development” on the site of the former public toilets at 139 Cambridge Road, near Churchtown Medical Centre.
Sefton Council had initially approved planning permission for offices on the land, before then agreeing the fresh application by Balmoral Estates Ltd.
The erection of the part single / part two storey building is the latest new investment in Churchtown Village which has welcomed quality new businesses in the past few months including: The Dram Gift Shop, Little Sparks, Artybitz art supplies, RS Fine Chocolate, Vintage Home and others.
A planning statement submitted by Clayton Architecture said: “Planning permission was granted for the demolition of an existing disused public toilet block and erection of a part single part double storey new build commercial premises on 16th July 2020.
“However due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the demand for open plan office space significantly reduced therefore this application involves a change of use from offices to a fitness studio and café.
“The proposed design is more contemporary than the buildings around the site, however this modern building looks to enhance and improve the local area through a high quality development.
“Similar to the Acorn Insurance and Financial Services office in ‘The Lighthouse’ building in Formby, this is a unique design which can be seen upon arrival entering Formby. It uses local materiality and form in a very modern way yet does not detract from the surrounding context, nor does it appear out of place.
“The building is noticeable for something uniquely modern yet traditional.
“The design utilises a disused brownfield site for a new fitness studio and cafe which seeks to improve the site and add quality to the local area.
“The proposal achieves the relevant objectives set out in Sefton Council’s Local Plan, including:
- To support urban regeneration and priorities for investment in Sefton
- To promote economic growth, and jobs creation
- To help Sefton’s town, district and local centres diversify and thrive
- To achieve high quality design and a healthy environment.
“The overall design has been developed with the context and quality at the forefront to ensure the use of the site is maximised.”
The scheme was approved by Sefton Council’s Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie, who said in his report: “The application site’s last use was as a public toilet and therefore fell outside of the retail use.
“The proposal is for a mixed use comprising a fitness studio and a café. Therefore, the proposed development would not cause the loss of retail provision and would in fact contribute to the offer of service in the area. It would also bring into use vacant land.
“The proposal is therefore considered to be acceptable in principle subject to other material considerations.”
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