A bid to extend the temporary permission for a community gym at the Mahatma Gandhi Industrial Estate has failed, with the Lambeth Planning Applications Committee voting unanimously to grant the gym a two-year temporary permission.
The committee met on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, to consider the application for the gym, operated by the Block Workout Foundation (BWF), also known as the Brixton Street Gym. The BWF needs to relocate from its current premises on Somerleyton Road due to redevelopment, with a permanent space planned in the new Somerleyton Road development upon its completion, projected for March 2030.
The application represented a departure from the council's Local Plan policy protecting Key Industrial Business Areas (KIBAs) for industrial and storage uses. Officers acknowledged this conflict but highlighted significant material considerations to justify the departure. Beyond the public benefits of BWF's services, these included the temporary nature of the permission, ensuring the site reverts to industrial use after two years; the condition that permission is personal to BWF; the gym use not creating more traffic than permitted industrial operations; and the utilisation of vacant floor space in Unit 3, which had been empty for two years.
The redevelopment on Somerleyton Road is progressing, with Phase 2 of the development planned to commence demolition and construction in August. The BWF's relocation is necessary as its current premises are part of this development site.
Councillor Viktor Westerdahl proposed extending the temporary use to three and a half years, arguing that the scale of the Somerleyton Road development could lead to delays. However, his amendment was not seconded and therefore failed. If significant delays beyond the two-year permission occur, the BWF would be able to apply for an extension, allowing for a proportionate extension with full knowledge of the revised construction timeline.
The committee's decision means the gym can continue its operations for two years, with specific conditions attached to ensure the use is temporary and personal to the Block Workout Foundation. These conditions include:
- The use being limited to the Block Workout Foundation for a period of two years from the date of the decision.
- The development being carried out in accordance with approved documents, including the Community Use Management Plan and Gym Acoustic Report.
- The premises being used only for purposes within Use Class E(d).
- Specific operating hours for the gym: 08:00 to 22:00 Monday to Friday, and 08:00 to 16:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and Bank Holidays, excluding Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
- Adherence to the Community Use Management Plan, which details operational aspects, safeguarding, and community focus.
- Compliance with the recommendations in the Gym Acoustic Report to mitigate noise and vibration impacts.
- Adherence to the site-wide Travel Plan and Transport Management Plan approved under a previous planning permission.
- No car parking being associated with the use of Units 3 and 4 for the duration of the temporary permission.
Adherence to the management and acoustic reports is ensured through these conditions. Condition 5 requires adherence to the Community Use Management Plan, which identifies a designated Site Manager responsible for day-to-day operations. Condition 6 mandates compliance with the Gym Acoustic Report. The council will monitor BWF's community obligations and performance targets separately through a Community Service Agreement.
Terrell Lewis, founder of the Block Workout Foundation, had previously addressed the committee, emphasizing the organisation's decade-long commitment to providing a safe space for young people and fostering community cohesion. He stated that the Mahatma Gandhi Estate would provide the stability needed to continue and expand this vital work.
The decision was made in accordance with the officer's recommendation to grant conditional planning permission, ensuring the gym can operate while its permanent home is being constructed. The full details of the committee's decision can be found in the Public reports pack for Tuesday 28 July 2026.