Plans to convert part of an industrial estate in Herne Hill into a temporary gym and community outreach centre are poised for endorsement. The Block Workout Foundation, widely recognised as the Brixton Street Gym, has applied for temporary planning permission to utilise two units on the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate. The proposal does not involve any construction work.
Currently located on Somerleyton Road, Brixton Street Gym aims to relocate temporarily while redevelopment occurs at its existing site. Upon completion of the Somerleyton Road project, a new permanent facility for the gym will be available. The Planning Applications Committee of Lambeth Council is set to review the recommendation to grant planning permission during a meeting scheduled for next week.
Details of the Proposed Location
The report from the council indicates that the site on Milkwood Road comprises a row of six industrial units. Of these, one has remained vacant for the past two years, while another is currently occupied for storage by a manufacturing business. Should the plans receive approval, the community gym will offer open gym sessions, structured fitness classes, and personal training services to Lambeth residents, available either by membership or on a pay-per-session basis.
Furthermore, the youth outreach and community engagement initiatives will provide structured programmes and activities for both young people and the wider community, facilitated by staff and volunteers from Brixton Street Gym. At the conclusion of the temporary permission period, the gym and outreach centre will cease operations within the industrial estate, and the units will revert to their original industrial and storage functions.
Proposed Hours of Operation
The suggested opening hours for the gym are from 8am to 10pm, Monday to Friday, and from 8am to 4pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays. In their assessment, planning officers from Lambeth Council noted that the proposals do not align fully with the Development Plan, as gym usage is generally not permitted in this particular area. Nevertheless, they acknowledged that there are significant material considerations that support the granting of temporary planning permission, and no overriding concerns have been identified that would undermine the proposal’s advantages.
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