Inverness martial arts centre wins planning bout with Highland Council
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SWEATY martial arts fighters have been getting neighbours in a lather by showering out of doors.
And the noise pumping out from the mixed martial arts gym in Thornbush Road, Inverness has also been upsetting some people.
However Highland Council has formalised an application from Highland Martial Arts Centre (HMAC) gym to change the use of a warehouse after receiving 36 representations supporting the gym for its positive impact on the area, against two letters of objection.
The gym has around 110 members including many young people as well as adults.
The permission has conditions attached, including giving the outside shower the chop, cutting opening hours to between 7am and 9pm, and curbing any noise from music, singing or machinery such as heaters or air conditioning.
The gym roller door must also be kept closed.
The complainants said noise from the building on occasion started as early as 6am.
A temporary planning approval was previously issued in April 2020 and the latest application was for permanent approval for the change of use.
The council noted that while there are other warehouses on Thornbush Road, the gym site is further south than these and is surrounded by a largely residential area.
The council said that representations against the proposal related largely to noise “ as well as the impact of the facility on neighbour amenity as a result of the outdoor shower.”
