Selsey gym plans to be considered for the second time

It is the second time that Kevin Byrne, the founder of Checkatrade, has sought permission for a change of use at the building in Ellis Square, off Manor Road.

He said there was ‘no reason’ for the application to be refused again when it is considered on April 14.

“We’ve fulfilled everything they’ve asked us to fulfill,” he said.

After the new owners of Checkatrade decided not to take on the partly-complete building, Mr Byrne drew up plans for it to be converted into a two-level gym, with four treatment rooms for beauty services and sports massages, and a health café.

But Chichester District Council’s planning committee refused the change of use back in July 2018, with councillors arguing that the offices had not been marketed for long enough.

SEE MORE: Checkatrade founder’s plan for £1.7m Selsey ‘health complex’ is refused

Mr Byrne said the decision was ‘incredibly frustrating’.

The building has since been on the market and Mr Byrne said there had been ‘zero interest’, as he had expected.

Mr Byrne, who has lived in Selsey since he was 13, said that under the current climate: “There is not a hope in hell that someone is going to come along and use that building for B1. All the businesses are moving out.”

Councillors should have approved the application and at least seen the site in use, he claims. “It is tragic that a £1.7million building in Selsey has sat completely empty for 18 months,” he said.

If the change of use is approved next month, Mr Byrne said he would be ready to open the health complex by June 1 – though he admitted that the coronavirus outbreak could well prevent this.

He said many residents wanted to see the gym go ahead, adding: “There’s huge amounts of support.”

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