THE owners of a 24 hour gym have appealed to Christchurch council once more ahead of a planning decision.

Anytime Fitness want to open a 24-hour gym in the former Priory Sports store in Saxon Square.

Their application, which was filed with the council back in June, has still to be decided on.

And in an updated statement to the planning department, they have presented more details on their proposal.

Their statement follows a council officers comments saying he would recommend refusal based on the authority's planning policy.

He added: "Such a use could occupy upper floors of a high street property as is common elsewhere."

No formal recommendation has been published as yet.

But the applicant has responded saying: "We believe our proposal helps to meet the goals set out in the new local plan which says that Christchurch will continue to act as the key town centre in the borough and will be the main focus for retail development.

"Future growth and development will be based around promoting the town centre as a place to shop, participate in leisure activities, enjoy culture, access key services and enjoy good food and drink.

"It specifically says there is a need to expand the health and fitness offer in the town centre."

It adds: "The proposed fitness club will retain a retail shopfront appearance, and provide an active and well-lit frontage.

"Anytime Fitness gyms are designed to be welcoming and accessible.

"The gym will be active into the evening hours, assisting with the evening economy and may help to draw people into the centre who seek to combine a visit to the gym with their errands or shopping."

The statement also claims Anytime Fitness gyms are a "significant footfall driver" in towns where they are located.

And they say that when they opened in Dorchester, they had 1,500 members in the first six months with 500 people going to the gym every day.

The letter concludes: "We are proposing a large financial investment in Christchurch town centre and would very much like to be part of what makes the town centre viable and vital.

"We are a community based club hoping to invest in the people of Christchurch."

Comments closed on August 15 and the application is set to be decided via delegated powers.