A FORMER police station which was put up for sale with a £1million price tag last year could be converted into a gym.

Plans have been lodged with Thurrock Council to turn the building in Darenth Lane, South Ockendon, into a gym and therapy centre.

The two-storey building will have changing rooms, studios, lounge spaces and a reception area. Another outbuilding will also be redeveloped into a physio and treatment room.

The police station closed in 2016 as part of an ongoing review of the force's assets.

The proposals will provide 28 parking spaces with two bays including EV charging facilities.

The gym is likely to be open from 6am to 10pm with the busiest hours expected to be from 4pm to 8pm.

If approved, the gym will have nine staff with five onsite at any one time.

A report to planning officers by the applicant said: "The site is located within a very sustainable location with easy access obtained via active travel modes and public transport.

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"The nearby residential properties are likely to form a majority of the new client base, although as a conservative estimate it is assumed that 35 per cent of future members will live locally and therefore don't need to rely on a car."

It adds: "The proposed development is compliant with local policies and supports national planning policy to focus commercial development where this is needed and desired."