A Warwick gym which claimed it was "misadvised" when it opened without planning permission has been handed a boost by council planners.

Foundry Gym at Lock Lane has been granted permission to turn a nearby builders merchant's yard into a car park.

Warwick District Council has granted temporary permission for the change of use until April 2028.

While a separate planning application for the change of use of the actual gym is still yet to be decided, the latest application said the additional parking spaces would stymie concerns raised about Horizon House.

"A key planning consideration of that application [the gym itself] relates to parking provision and management," it said.

The application added: "Historic aerial imagery confirms the site has been underutilised for a period of almost 20 years with some limited surface storage and car parking occupying the site throughout this period."

Warwick Town Council did not object to the application, but did raise concerns about the pedestrian safety on Lock Lane.

District planners said there is a pedestrian path along the road which gym users will be able to use safely.

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Signing off on the application, a council report said: "The proposals are considered acceptable in principle. 

"The proposal demonstrates that the site can adequately provide space for 52 cars and the highways authority raise no objection to the proposals on highway safety grounds."

Planning saga

At the end of last year, Foundry submitted an application asking for temporary permission to use Horizon House as a gym.

A previous submission to the local council claimed the chain was "misadvised" by a property agent which said it had the proper permission to open.

Previously a vehicle hire business, the building on Millers Road 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.

The previous submission was withdrawn for consideration to address the feedback from residents.

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A huge number of supportive comments and complaints were submitted to the last application, with many residents questioning the impact on parking and the local roads.

The temporary change of use would run until the gym's current lease ends.

If it were to extend the lease, a new application would need to be submitted.