Planners Determine Future of Unauthorized Gym in Blackburn
Blackburn planners have approved a boxing gym’s use after a backdated application by the owner, regularizing its operation.
Blackburn, UK, Boxing Gym, Planning Permission, Hamzah Ahmed
Blackburn: So, there’s this former taxi booking office in Blackburn that’s now a boxing gym. The owner, Hamzah Ahmed, was using it without any permission, which is a bit of a no-no.
But here’s the twist: he put in a backdated planning application, and guess what? It got approved! He had asked the council for permission to convert the place and even add some new windows.
They did have a couple of conditions, though. The gym can only operate from 9 AM to 11:30 PM, every day of the week. Not too shabby, right?
The site is in a busy area, surrounded by restaurants and pubs, so it fits right in. The gym itself is pretty small, about 65 square meters, but it’s got a boxing ring and all the gear.
During a visit, the planning officer saw everything was already set up, which is why they considered it a retrospective application. The new local plan encourages developments that boost leisure and the evening economy, so this gym ticks those boxes.
Plus, it’s expected to create jobs, which is always a good thing for the local economy. The building itself isn’t a historic gem, but it doesn’t detract from the area either.