A gym owner in Westhoughton is celebrating after receiving planning permission for his business . The Strength Factory, which is located on Manchester Road in Westhoughton , submitted an application back in January this year to change the use of the site from general industrial use to commercial usage for an indoor gym and café. The Hybrid Performance Centre, which is the main part of the gym located in the lot next door, applied for planning permission towards the end of last year.
The application was put before Bolton Council's planning committee. Owner Andrew Hibbert apologised for the retrospective filing of the plans when questioned by the panel , he said: “I was 25 years old, I was young and naïve. A colleague told me that I didn’t have to apply for planning permission and go through the proper processes and I blindly believed them without conducting my own research.
“I didn’t fully understand the process at the time, I would like to rectify this issue and go through the correct processes to keep the business secure.” Despite the business dating back to at least 2016 on Google Maps, it received 24 objection letters to the proposed site changes from residents around the Westhoughton area. Concerns were raised over the parking provision and road safety on Manchester Road which is exacerbated by the gym and proximity to the The Gates Primary School.
Other objectors drew attention to the use of loud music coming from the unit prior to 6am which neighbours comp.
