New leisure facility approved at former DW Sports unit in Newtownabbey
Planning permission was approved for a new leisure facility at Longwood Retail Park, Newtownabbey, by Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Planning Committee in Mossley Mill, last Monday evening.
The proposal is for sub-division, partial change of use and reconfiguration of Unit 6 to provide three units to accommodate a retail and leisure swim facility on the ground floor and the use of the first floor as a gym.
The application has been made by Longwood Park Limited. No letters of objection were received by council planners.
A committee report said: “The existing building covers two floors which were both previously occupied by DW Sports. The use of the building was utilised as a mix of retail and leisure with a swimming pool located on the ground floor.
“The premises comprised of two main functions, a sports retailer and gym operator. The ground floor level of the existing unit was mainly comprised of leisure/ gym facilities with the swimming pool and associated changing facilities located to the rear of the building.
“The first floor mainly operated for retail use with a number of gym studios located to the front portion of the building. It is accepted that both leisure and retail use at this location has been established with no new use being introduced.
“The ground floor use includes both retail and leisure use. The leisure use is utilised as a swimming pool with the proposed internal reconfiguration including changes to the changing areas, reception area and ancillary accommodation.
"Other changes to the ground floor include the removal of a leisure studio and the relocation of a stairwell.”
“It is considered that the design, lay-out, and appearance of the proposed extension including its scale and massing are considered acceptable within the context of the site and surrounding area,” the report also said.
It was also noted there would be “no unacceptable impact on the amenities of occupants of nearby properties due to the proposed development” as the adjacent premises are commercial in use, with residential properties located at Mill Road.
Threemilewater Ulster Unionist Cllr Stephen Cosgrove proposed accepting the recommendation to approve the application, seconded by Macedon Ulster Unionist Cllr Robert Foster.. Following a vote, planning permission was granted unanimously.