A NEW 24-hour gym could open in Stockton Heath after developers insisted neighbours would not be affected by noise from the centre.

Anytime Fitness, with more than 90 franchises across the country, could open in the building above the Slug and Lettuce and Pizza Express on Grappenhall Road.

The site used to be a nightclub, operating as Aries and Viper Lounge, but has stood empty since December and an application to change the use of the building has been submitted.

In planning documents, the applicants said: “The proposed fitness centre will not have dance or fitness classes which require a high level of music.

“The fitness centre will produce noise from background music, use of various fitness machines and free weights. And data collected from existing Anytime Fitness sites demonstrates that in reality only a very small amount of members choose to use the gym in the early hours of the morning.”

However, the gym has been told it must install soundproofing mats so noise will not disrupt neighbours.

Members will be able to access the gym at night using a key fob. 

Anytime Fitness says security is very important to them so CCTV will be installed in all areas.

It added it is usually people working abnormal hours, such as nurses, police officers and firefighters, who use the gym late at night.

No new parking spaces will be made. Forge Shopping Centre car park could be used, it is suggested.

The gym, run by a franchisee, could provide six full-time jobs.