PLANS to convert a kickboxing gym into a home have been rejected.

Leo's Gym is a small flat roofed building down a lane off Robert's Road in Pokesdown, offering kickboxing, mixed martial arts training and fitness.

An application was submitted to convert the building into a two-bedroom home with a single parking space, however Bournemouth council planners dismissed the plans as "a cramped form of development, which relates very poorly to its neighbours".

A report by planning officer Colin Tebb states: "Importantly, there have been several refusals over the years to convert/replace and extend this 'gym' (although the forms indicate the gym is no longer operating)."

The site was initially refused permission for use as a boxing gym in 2013 but this was reversed the following year. Schemes to add a second storey and convert the building to a home were rejected in 2015 and 2016, the latter decision was supported at appeal.