A proposed 47,000 sq ft (4,366 sq m) Virgin Active Health & Fitness Centre at Thundersley near Rayleigh, Essex, has received detailed planning consent.
Having been cleared by Castle Point council, the scheme was called in for a public inquiry last October.
The inquiry, which focused on the scheme’s impact, on the Green Belt, PPG13 and PPG6, ruled in favour of the scheme and the Secretary of State has agreed with that ruling.
CB Hillier Parker acted for Virgin Active and for the site’s owner, Premier Leisure UK.
CBHP claimed: “This is a milestone decision in that it demonstrates that such facilities can be provided in green belt locations.”
EGi News 05/11/01
