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Search the Public Notice Portal A CONVENIENCE store will be built in a former church after a boxing gym plan “did not generate the anticipated level of community participation.”
In 2023, a planning application to convert the former Thorpe Edge Congregational Church on Averingcliffe Road into a youth sports facility was approved by Bradford Council.
It was hoped the boxing gym would provide a vital new leisure facility for young people in the area.
A new application says the gym proposal has failed to attract the support that was anticipated.
What is the new plan?
Earlier this summer, a planning application by a Mr Lambert was submitted to Bradford Council.
It called for the change of use of the gym space to a convenience store.
It follows an application last year to create two flats in the rear of the building being approved.
Plans approved despite objections
The plans have now been approved, despite attracting a number of objections.
The application said: “One of the reasons for the submission of the second application was that the boxing gym did not generate the anticipated level of community participation.
“Since that approval, demand for the boxing facility has declined further, resulting in a significant amount of vacant floor space that is no longer financially sustainable.
“The current proposal therefore seeks to change the use of the remaining ground floor gym space (Use Class E(d)) to a small local convenience shop (Use Class E(a)).
"The proposed shop would serve the surrounding residential area, which currently has limited access to local convenience retail facilities within walking distance.
“Whilst the boxing gym initially provided a valuable community facility, the level of participation and demand has reduced significantly, resulting in underutilised accommodation that is no longer economically viable in its current form.
“The proposed convenience shop would provide an alternative community benefit by delivering a local retail facility that can be accessed by nearby residents.
“The proposal would help meet day-to-day shopping needs, reduce the need to travel to more distant facilities and support the vitality of the local neighbourhood.”
'Shop would suffer from shoplifting'
A planning report by officers said: “21 people objected to this proposal with a petition from 20 neighbours received by post although this appears to be blank/unsigned.”
Objections included that there was “no need” for another convenience store in the area, that it would cause anti-social behaviour, and that the shop would suffer from shoplifting.
Officers said: “The proposal will bring another viable use to the building and utilise an underutilised part of the existing property.
“The proposal will provide some economic benefits as well as employment provision and provide a local facility to be utilised and accessed by the local community and nearby residents.”
One condition of the approval is that the store can only open between 8am - 8pm on Monday - Saturday and 10am - 4pm on Sundays.