Decision made on 24-hour gym for Limerick as local fumes over noise 'morning, noon and night'

PLANNERS have given the green light to an around-the-clock gym in Limerick – despite fears of “continuous, loud, annoying music” playing “morning, noon and night”.

Lindat has been given the go-ahead to change the use of two units at the Parkway Shopping Centre at Dublin Road/Childers Road in the city.

The firm is planning to convert two units – one of which is a former language school – into use as a gym.

In supporting documents to council, agents for the developer confirmed: “The proposed gym is intended to operate on a 24-hour basis.”

“This is a common approach for fitness facilities as it allows for those who work and operate on night-time schedules to access fitness facilities at a time when they would be otherwise unable to do so,” the agents added.

“Access will be granted to members only on a 24-hour basis,” they stated.

The firm has stressed it would put in place a number of measures to mitigate noise.

Anti-vibration floor matting will be used in areas where the impact of weight drops could occur.

And music levels from the gym would be limited so the upper levels do not exceed set limitations and it would be further reduced at night-time.

One resident living nearby lodged a formal objection to council planners.

“The continuous loud, annoying music noise coming from the 24-hour gym and the same loud gym music noise from the gym classes running from 7am to 9pm will have a very serious effect on our mental and physical health,” they wrote.

Even when the gym noise is quieter at night, the resident argued the music will still be heard in the family home.

“It will also interfere with the enjoyment of our back garden. Who wants to hear loud gym music in their home morning, noon and night?,” they asked.

Concern was also expressed over those travelling to the gym at nighttime “making extra noise, shouting, slamming car doors” and “riding loud motorbikes”.

Planning permission was granted subject to seven conditions. This includes a stipulation all noise mitigation measures outlined by the developer be adhered to.

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Decision made on 24-hour gym for Limerick as local fumes over noise ‘morning, noon and night’

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