The gym would be just a flight of stairs away
Plans have been put forward to transform vacant space above a popular Derby gym into studio apartments.
The proposals involve the first floor of the property in Ashbourne Road, above the Energie Fitness gym.
Energie first opened in the ground floor unit – which at one point was a Morrisons convenience store and prior to that a Blockbuster Video store – last summer.
Previously, planning permission was in place to turn the first floor into offices. However, according to the latest application those plans were never implemented.
Now, a company called Emerge Property Consultants wants to transform the vacant space into nine studio apartments, which would each include a lounge, kitchenette and en-suite bathroom.
The properties would be served by 10 parking spaces and seven bicycle spaces.
In planning documents submitted by AK Innovative Design Solutions, on behalf of Emerge, it said: “The proposal is to renovate the existing office building into a residential dwelling.
“The client wishes to utilise the existing building without tampering with its character.
“All works will be internal, and no major structural work will be proposed. The entire external facade, will remain as is without any changes.”
According to the application, the decision to convert the property to residential has come about after the space failed to rent out as offices.
The plans state: “The proposed scheme wishes to enhance the image of the first floor from being a vacant, abandoned area to a living space, therefore improving the overall street.
“With approval of the proposal it would encourage residential uses to the first floor and to other occupants encouraging investment and renovation work to take place on the other vacant properties in the local area.”
Reference
Derbyshire Live –https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/business/fitness-fans-love-plans-new-2791872