Plans unveiled to turn disused women's gym in Northampton town centre into flats

Plans have been unveiled to convert a disused women's gym in Northampton town centre into a block of flats.

The proposals submitted by Tellington Limited could see the area above The Salvation Army store in Abington Street - which was previously home to Energie Ladies Fitness Club - turned into ten one and two-bed homes.

Planning papers say the existing retail uses along Abington Street are 'redundant' and that development opportunities can help 'redefine this struggling part of the town'.

The documents say: "The large format retail units once occupied by the likes of Marks & Spencer are surplus to requirements and by their very nature will be difficult to reuse.

"The development opportunities around Abington Street can help redefine this struggling part of the town centre as a residential neighbourhood known as the Eastgate Quarter.

"Introducing further residential uses to this area would increase the existing and planned residential developments, supporting the creation of a new town centre neighbourhood."

The plans also say The Salvation Army and Thomas Cook below would continue to operate as they are.

There would be no parking but a cycle storage unit would be installed inside the building.

The gym has been in the town centre for around 20 years, first moving in in the early 2000s.

The application also mentions previous plans to build 13 flats at the former Eastgate pub on Abington Street.

These proposals were approved by the council back in 2018 but work has yet to start.