PLANS for a second 24-hour gym for Dorchester has led to a divided reaction.

Comments about the application, within the existing Co-op building in Trinity Street, are divided – some welcoming the extra competition for existing gyms, with others worried about potential late noise to nearby homes and more pressure on parking.

Several have welcomed that using half of the large Co-op building will help keep the supermarket in the town centre.

But others have questioned if the gym is needed. Said one of the letter writers, Darren Hall: “How many gyms do we need in this town… “Approving this space to will slowly kill the little retail units we have within the town.

“Cutting a tree down is not good for the environment and potentially creating unnecessary traffic and pollution to already congested roads. We are already overwhelmed with health and fitness facilities and how will this will benefit the community as this gym will provide nothing new from the current facilities available?”

Dorchester Town Council has recommended approval of the application although it has also expressed concern about the loss of a silver birch tree near the proposed gym entrance and has asked for adequate security lighting and CCTV.

The application, if approved by Dorset Council, will see the supermarket continue to trade, but re-configured to half the size it is now.

The change of use application from The Gym Ltd is to use 663 square metres of the existing store, to the right of the building’s current main entrance.

The Dorchester operation, if approved, will involve a mix of rowing, running and cycling machines together with resistance machines. It says any music will be low level and background only.

Environmental Health has suggested that if the application is approved noise levels should be agreed in advance and then monitored, and adjusted, if necessary, once the building is in use.