Warwick locals have been split over a new Warwick gym which opened without planning permission.

Foundry Gym on Millers Road has been forced to submit a planning application after finding out it did not have planning permission to open, saying it was "misadvised" by its property agents.

The retrospective application has been put forward to Warwick District Council just months after the chain opened at Horizon House in January.

And now around 100 locals have submitted notices of support to the application.

Whitney Kelly wrote: "I have been going to the gym since opening and I have always managed to find parking.

"The street itself is filled with various businesses including another gym. I do not think they should be targeted for a problem that already existed."

Jack Lawton said: "As part of the Foundry community the gym had made a huge difference to the Warwick community and brought a lot of people together especially myself."

While Laura Jayne added: "Great gym which is bringing the community together. People complain about the traffic, but this gym has more parking than other places in the area.

"Additionally provides a job opportunities."

While there has been an overwhelming amount of support, there have also been a series of objections to the application, including one from local councillor Simon Pargeter.

He wrote: "I will be objecting to the retrospective planning application submitted by Foundry Gym on Millers Road, and I encourage residents affected to do the same.

"Since opening in January, the gym has caused serious parking problems in the area, affecting nearby homes and businesses.

"In addition, the illuminated signage shines directly into residents' homes at night, and the 24-hour operation has led to unacceptable noise during the night hours.

"These issues are having a negative impact on the local community, and it's important that residents' voices are heard before any decision is made."

Peter Grove added: "I work a few doors down from this gym, ever since it has been open we have no parking in the area, it was bad before but now it is just ridiculous.

"I've been stuck waiting on Millers road waiting for people to manoeuvre in and out of the gyms tiny car park a lot in the past few months, I have even witnessed a ambulance get held up by the traffic into that place, and it had its lights on!"

The application says there would be no external alterations aside from signage.

Previously a vehicle hire business, the building is currently classed as 'B2/B8' - industrial use. Foundry wants to change it to 'Class E' which allows for a wide range of commercial and business use.

"When taking on the premises the applicants were misadvised by the property agents and legal advisers who indicated on numerous occasions both verbally and in writing that the premises had the correct use class in place to enable them to use the building as a gym," the application said.

It continued: "Unfortunately, on the back of this advice the applicants have proceeded to invest considerable funds in refurbishing the building to make it suitable for its intended use."

See the full plans here.