A HELENSBURGH gym could open 24 hours a day, seven days a week under plans submitted to council officials.
Management of The Journey are seeking the change conditions on the planning permission it received to open its Colquhoun Square premises in 2021.
It currently opens from 6am to 8pm Monday to Friday and from 7am to 4pm on Saturday, closing on a Sunday.
Now an application has been submitted to remove the permitted hours to allow unrestricted opening all week.
Argyll and Bute Council is expected to rule on the application by early April, with the public now able to view plans and submit feedback.
A supporting statement said: “It is recognised that planning conditions restricting opening hours are commonly applied where there is a risk of harm to neighbouring amenity.
“This submission demonstrates why, with the controls proposed, the development can operate without adverse impact.
“Access between 9pm and 6am will be members-only via electronic access control (fob/app). No day passes, casual access, or ‘pay on the door’ entry will be permitted between 9pm and 6am.
“Access permissions can be managed/withdrawn remotely to enforce compliance. This materially limits the likelihood of late-night congregation and ensures use is restricted to known members subject to gym rules.
“Members will be directed to park in the parking area to the side of the building and arrive/leave quietly. Entry/exit will be controlled via the front door only during unsocial hours to avoid dispersal around the building and reduce disturbance.
“Signage and member rules will require ‘quiet arrival/departure’, no loitering, and doors to be closed immediately after entry/exit.
“No external music will be played at any time. No external speakers will be used; members will use headsets only for music/audio.
“The proposal does not introduce outdoor training or external activity during late hours. The premises will operate under a ‘quiet hours’ approach for arrivals/departures (9pm-6am).”
The statement added: “The operator will monitor behaviour using remote CCTV covering entrance/exit and key external areas.
“Any identified breaches (loitering, antisocial behaviour, repeated late-night noise) will be addressed through membership sanctions (warning, suspension, termination).
“A complaints procedure will be maintained so that any neighbour concerns can be logged, investigated, and resolved promptly.
“With these controls, the proposal should not result in unacceptable harm to residential amenity, which is the usual reason hours restrictions are applied.
“The proposal also supports local living and access to facilities by allowing flexible use for shift workers and those unable to attend during standard hours, aligning with national planning objectives for community wellbeing and access to services.”
To view the plans and submit feedback, visit the council’s planning portal at argyll-bute.gov.uk and use the reference number 26/00239/PP.
