Bodybuilder's Bristol gym hopes frustrated by red tape

A bodybuilder trying to open a new gym in Kingswood says he is being frustrated by red tape.

Tom Blackman, 29, wants to open an exercise studio at the Douglas Road industrial estate, and cater for everyone from bodybuilders like himself to the disabled and school children.

He needs to apply to South Gloucestershire Council for a change of use for the building, but says so far they have not been very positive.

The planning authority says the site must be used for "employment generation" purposes for which a gym would not qualify, despite Mr Blackman's claim it would create 15 new jobs during difficult economic times.

He has also been told the lack of interest in the site during the last year does not support his proposal, because with the current financial climate that is to be expected.

Now he has launched a petition to back his scheme, so far securing 100 signatures from local teams and supporters.

Mr Blackman, of Westbury-on-Trym, who has won several shows in the past seven years said: "I made a speculative inquiry, I had a letter back saying every other planning application of this kind has failed so this would fail too.

"It's a bit of a hard slog trying to get support but I've got 100 signatures from teams who want this to happen.

"We're not like Fitness First or something like that, we're more like a big American gym where there are so many different types of equipment you can have a different workout every time

"We're promoting disabled use, because there's nothing like that in Bristol at the moment.

"The big chains just have disabled access for them to get planning, but this will give them something to do.

"It's all well and good for most gyms to have disabled access to satisfy planners but then have no machines or equipment that they can use.

"In addition because we will be actively encouraging sport we are helping with the Government's drive towards getting more people into sport by 2012."

Mr Blackman has been a competitive bodybuilder for seven years, is well known in the industry and has won a number of shows.

He said: "No one wants to take up the buildings for rent, and the owner is saying he can't afford it because of the credit crunch.

"It's frustrating. The council hasn't considered the range of benefits to the area we will be offering and just see their silly clauses and are hiding behind a few legislative points.

"However there is allowance in the planning laws to allow gyms to be built in the protected employment area, they are just conveniently ignoring it."

Council spokesman Sarah Hudspith supplied the Post with the letter of advice a planning officer sent Mr Blackman.

He was told that the council has to ensure that employment land is safeguarded for the future. Once the use has changed to leisure, any other leisure facility could occupy the premises with no need to re-apply for permission.