Gym plan approved for former social club in Washington - complete with ‘kids climbing wall’ and ‘kids boxing club’, coffee area and spaces for yoga, sports therapy and sun beds

Back in July, 2022, Sunderland City Council’s planning department validated a planning application for the Whitehouse Social Club, off Knoulberry Road, in the Washington West ward.

The plans aimed to pave the way for the relocation of an existing “family-orientated gymnasium” based in Armstrong Road, Washington.

Application form documents listed the applicant as Rokbox Gym Ltd and confirmed the development would propose four full-time equivalent employees.

Submitted floor plans also set out a range of facilities planned across two floors, including a ‘kids climbing wall’ and ‘kids boxing club’, a coffee area, class/ gym areas and spaces for yoga, sports therapy and sun beds.

After considering the application and assessing it against planning policies, Sunderland City Council’s planning department approved it on September 12, 2022.

However the approval is subject to conditions which aim to reduce amenity impacts on neighbours and the wider area.

This includes opening hours being limited to 9am-9pm, Monday to Thursday, 6.30am-7pm on Fridays and 7am-11am on Saturdays.

The venue would also be required to close on Sundays and Bank Holidays, as well as following a condition limiting attendees.

This includes no more than 18 people attending classes at the premises at any one time and no more than eight people using the gym area at the property at any one time.

A decision report from council planners notes this would ensure that “suitable parking levels are maintained and the amenity of the surrounding area is not negatively impacted”.

Back in 2020, plans were approved to transform the building into a ‘functions venue’ for private functions including birthdays and wedding parties.

According to documents submitted with the new plans for the site, the venue is closed.

A planning statement submitted with the application said relocating a gymnasium to the social club site would help maintain the applicant’s current membership base.

The planning statement adds: “The gymnasium needs to relocate close to the existing gymnasium as [the] majority of the members are local residents.

“The proposed premises are within 0.5km of the current gymnasium location which will maintain the business viability by maintaining the current membership base.

“Other locations have been considered, however, they would have an adverse effect on the business as members would need to travel out of the locality”.

For more information on the planning application and council decision, visit Sunderland City Council’s online planning portal and search reference: 22/01315/FUL