Plan for flats at old pump house after gym fails

A property developer says a former village gym and health club will be converted into flats due to a lack of commercial interest in the site.

Active Haus ran the gym at the old pumping station in Charing but went bust in March last year, leaving property owner Mark Quinn facing £100,000 of losses in rent arrears.

Mr Quinn had built up the gym between 1997 and 2001, and at one stage it boasted 1,400 members. But he says the market has since changed, leaving him no option but to redevelop the site for housing.

Mr Quinn said: “It is the third time a business there has gone bust so I’m at the end of the road. The number of health clubs has increased.

“It’s a shame because it was my first business and I was really proud of it. I put my heart and soul into it.

“My intention is to develop it and keep it maintained so I have a presence in the village.

“It will also give people the opportunity to have somewhere decent to rent, and will give the building a new lease of life.”

Quinn Estates tasked Stafford Perkins Chartered Surveyors to find commercial tenants for the 9,000 sq ft building.

Despite interest from two potential schools and a potential gym provider, no offers NO OPTION: Mark Quinn were made for the property.

Now Quinn Estates has revealed its plans for the building, and Mr Quinn said he had worked with neighbours to make sure the plans work.

He intends to knock down the swimming pool extension and replace it with two new homes, along with an extension to cre- ate eight new apartments in the main building itself.

His plans, which have been designed by Clague Architects, will also see the construction of an extension on top of the old pumping station building.

Charing Parish Council will discuss the proposals at a meeting on Thursday, May 11.

‘It will give people the opportunity to have somewhere decent to rent, and will give the building a new lease of life’

To view the plans visit the planning section at www.ashford. gov.uk and search for reference 17/00530/AS

Picture: Clague Architects Gym company Active Haus went bust in March last year

Picture: Clague Architects Plans for the old pumping station in Charing