A NEW ‘industrial style’ gym is coming to Kingsteignton as planners approve the application to convert the former Swanson Motor showroom.

Submitted by NXT LVL Devon, the application - reference 25/01805/FUL - sought permission for a gym and outdoor sports courts at the site off Pottery Road, which includes the Clay Cellars, a Grade II listed, former industrial building built around 1843.

The application also includes provision for a café, indoor sports courts, changing rooms, toilets, sauna and 13 parking spaces, two of which will be accessible spaces.

And Teignbridge Council have today, Thursday, March 19, granted planning permission.

‘The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiry of three years from the date of this permission’, the council said.

‘The use shall not take place other than between the hours of 5.30am and 10.30pm on any day’, the council added.

The new gym will create jobs in Kingsteignton, as well as leisure and recreation facilities, helping make the town a more attractive place for young families to settle, the design, access and heritage statement for 25/01805/FUL says.

The statement goes on to say: ‘The design seeks to bring the building back into use, as a gym and racquet sports centre.

‘The proposal aims to be respectful to the original building by employing a light touch philosophy, retaining the integrity and character of the listed building.

‘The design will be of a high quality throughout and have a positive contribution to the heritage asset’.

At present, the site comprises: the Clay Cellar building; a link building; garage, mechanics workshop and forecourt.

The Clay Cellars will house the gym; the adjacent building, which links it with the garage, will house the changing rooms, toilets and sauna.

The mechanics workshop will comprise the main entrance and reception, while the garage will comprise the indoor courts; the forecourt will be made level for the outdoor courts.