Agenda item - BH2026/00121 - 2 St Heliers Avenue, Hove - Removal or Variation of Condition

1.    The case officer introduced the application to the committee.

Speakers

2.    Lucy Egan addressed the committee as the applicant and stated that they were a well-established sports provider, and they took over the venue two years ago. The application is for a modest variation of the opening times for internal activities only. Many of the local residents use the site and there is community support for the gym. Noise monitoring is ongoing and it has not been unreasonable compared to 24hr gyms. There 24 members of staff, a large number of which are instructors. The financial viability of the site would be at risk if the new hours are not granted.

Answers to Committee Members Questions

3.    Councillor Pickett was informed that the submitted noise impact assessment report did not assess the 6am time period and had been used to measure the external tennis courts and was not suitable for this application. The assessment covered both people activity and cars, plus external running classes. The Environmental Health team confirmed they had received complaints in the past, the most recent in summer last year when speakers were placed on the external tennis courts. There have been no direct noise complaints to the gym and only one complaint when speakers were placed on the external tennis courts.

4.    Councillor Cattell was informed that there was a strong community of members and not all were driving, some were walking, some cycling. There was not much noise outside from those wishing access the building first thing in the morning. Outside running (associated with ‘hyrox’ classes) will be stopped to reduce noise. It was noted that the Environmental Health Team have advised not to condition a noise management plan given the uncertainty of it working, however, it was possible to defer to obtain an updated noise assessment.

5.    Councillor Earthey was informed that the access to the site was shared with other businesses and was not lockable. It was noted that the applicant would not be repeating the class with external speakers on the tennis courts.

6.    Councillor Parrott was informed that the building was derelict when the applicant started and they have made is viable. The previous occupiers opened at 5.30am. The access to other businesses and houses is in constant use. There are notices on doors requesting users to note the gym is sited in a residential area.

7.    Councillor Sheard was informed that the applicant was not able to do anything about pavement noise from runners.

Debate

8.    Councillor Pickett noted that other gyms open at 6am. The councillor supported the application as they considered there was no reason to refuse the application.

9.    Councillor Parrott noted other gyms opened at 5.30am and the last complaint was in 2025. If there was no music and the external speakers were removed and the noise was managed at the opening times, then all issues have been dealt with.

10. Councillor Earthey considered a compromise would be to have an updated noise assessment before making a decision.

11. Councillor Sheard considered there two ways forward; one to defer the application to allow an updated noise assessment to be submitted or to pass the application with a condition requesting a noise assessment.

12. Councillor Winder considered the case officers recommendation to refuse the application was not right.

Vote

13. A vote was held, and by 0 to 6 against, the committee voted against the officer recommendation to refuse. (Councillor Thomson (Chair), Councillor Nann and Councillor Theobald did not take part in the vote or any part of the decision-making process).

14. Councillor Cattell proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Parrott, to approve the application with a condition to add a noise management plan. Wording to be approved by the deputy chair, Councillor Sheard, and the proposer and seconder.

15. A vote was held, and Councillors Earthey, Cattell, Winder, Parrott, Pickett and Sheard agreed to grant planning permission. (Councillor Thomson (Chair), Councillor Nann and Councillor Theobald did not take part in the vote or any part of the decision-making process).