Residential development rejected at former fitness centre

Walsall Council planning officers rejected a developer’s proposal to convert a former fitness centre into residential housing.

LM Legacy Health and Fitness Centre on Cramp Hill has remained closed for several years, but a proposal came forward from Strollers to redevelop the site into 18 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom flats.

However, officers have expressed concern that the redevelopment would affect the setting of the neighbouring Grade II Listed St. Lawrence Church.

Additional reasons for refusal included insufficient off-road parking, inadequate amenity space for certain residents, concerns regarding potential anti-social behaviour, and the absence of a legal agreement to guarantee payments for an open space contribution.

Representatives for the developer stated that the property had been marketed for lease for nearly four years without any success and in a heritage impact statement, Archaeological Project Services asserted that the transformation of the current building would enhance views from the neighbouring Grade II Listed St. Lawrence’s Church.