A martial arts instructor wants to transform a vacant unit in a former cotton mill into an indoor sports and fitness center.
Lauren Stott has applied stupid City Council to obtain permission to change Unit 11 at Sough Bridge Mill on Colne Road, Earby, from a general industrial storage unit to an indoor gymnasium and sports venue.
The proposed use includes the teaching of martial arts, self-defense, and general fitness for the community, with provision for qualification/examination and functions.
Sough Bridge Mill is currently a mixed-use site, with some units involving customer/public facing services, but Unit 11 is vacant, although it was previously used as a medal/engraver shop, and until about 12 months ago was used to store carpets and floors.
The site has an existing parking provision with space for 27 vehicles and Ms. Scott, if she is successful with her application, plans to open the gym between 4:30 pm and 8 pm Monday through Friday and 9 am to 12 pm on Saturdays, offering classes for infants, beginners and advanced students, with three classes per weekday evening.
Currently using Civic Hall in Barnoldswick, if successful with her application, Ms. Stott plans to provide a more permanent base within Sough Bridge Mill for martial arts classes.
Supporting documents submitted to the Pendle Council along with the application say: “It will provide a safe environment in which these groups can improve their levels of health and fitness with a focus on the basic principles of martial arts; courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.
“Building these life skills along with better physical fitness, particularly among younger generations, improves confidence and well-being, increases healthy life expectancy, and improves educational outcomes by fostering disciplined children with strong attention skills. .
“The proponents currently provide Taekwondo lessons from a temporary location in Barnoldswick, and have done so for many years. This has produced a number of black belts, some of whom have competed at the national level.
“This, coupled with the continued success of the club attracting members from the surrounding towns, shows that there is a strong local appetite for a center of this nature.
“A more permanent venue could provide a more professional facility equipped with better equipment to help members achieve their aspirations and full potential, whether at the county, national or Olympic level.
“The proponents have experience of working with children and schools in the local area to raise awareness against bullying.
“The martial arts and self-defense lessons incorporate these principles and therefore have a positive impact on the local community, providing individuals with strong ethics, well-rounded nature and the conviction to reach their full potential.
“Community research shows that communities want more activities, more opportunities and a better life. If encouraged, members of those communities will engage in activities that are not necessarily the cultural norm.
“Community consultations have shown the need for increased access to sports and recreation facilities and the need for parent and family support.”
A refurbishment would be needed and, while not substantial, would create jobs for local merchants and in turn help preserve that part of the mill and its longevity in terms of the local historic setting.
Ms. Stott has highlighted that because the unit has been vacant, it currently offers no contribution to achieving the goals of the Grading and Regeneration Policy and therefore there would be no adverse impacts from the proposed change of use.
Only two objections have been filed so far, both citing car parking as a concern for nearby residents and other visitors to the plant.
Anyone wishing to comment further on the proposals can do so online through the Pendle Planning portal or by writing to the planning department by August 1st.
