A proposal to open a 24-hour gym in the former Trident Steelworks in Albion Road, West Bromwich, faces an appeal after being rejected by Sandwell Council. The council dismissed D1 Gyms’ plan, citing a conflict with its vision to reserve the 19-acre site for employment purposes.
Although initially earmarked for more than 740 homes in Sandwell Council’s 2012 development plan, the Trident Steelworks site remains undeveloped. The emerging Sandwell Local Plan, currently under review and expected to be published later this year, designates this area as local employment land, reinforcing the council’s stance.
The council’s refusal report emphasized that the change from residential or employment use to a gym would contradict policies aimed at safeguarding land for housing and employment. It stated, “The development would undermine allocations for housing and employment land within the borough, resulting in the loss of much-needed available land for such uses.”
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Conversely, D1 Gyms argues that repurposing the existing warehouse into a fitness facility offers a sustainable, community-focused development. According to their application, the gym would feature open-plan exercise areas, changing rooms, and reception spaces without requiring structural alterations to the building. They highlight the proposal’s compatibility with local needs, inclusive access, and alignment with planning policies.
With the appeal now lodged to the government’s Planning Inspectorate, the final decision could override the council’s rejection, potentially allowing the gym to proceed amid ongoing discussions about the site’s future.