THURROCK Council has given the green light for a former police station to be turned into a gym, despite residents' objections.

Planning permission has been granted for the police station in Darenth Lane, South Ockendon to be turned into a gym with an outbuilding converted into treatment rooms for physiotherapy. The proposal also includes a first floor extension to the main building, new external cladding and replacement doors and windows. The site has 28 parking spaces.

The gym would operate Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm and from 8am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The council received 36 objections with residents worried it will impact a neighbouring, family-run kick boxing business. It was also feared a commercial operator, believed to be AB Salute gym, could cause disturbances and safety concerns for the local residents.

Kim Brook-Joyce of Dacre Crescent, Aveley, said: "This is a disgraceful proposal. Please stop it going through."

Chris Hughes 7 Advice Avenue, Grays feared the building would be taken over by a large gym chain and said: "The impact of building a new gym next door cannot be underestimated. It poses a significant financial burden on the existing club, jeopardizing future memberships that the local club relies upon to stay open.

"It is unacceptable that a large gym chain could open next door, gain a commercial advantage, and negatively affect this gym's financial stability."

The police station was built in the 1950s and closed in 2016 as part of an ongoing review of the force's assets.

It stayed empty for seven years before being put on the market last year.

A report by planning officers said: "The location of the proposed development is considered acceptable and would not compromise its town centre locality and would be acceptable in principle.

The proposed use would result in an increase in activity in the area which would be considered of benefit, whilst supporting and enhancing the vitality and viability of the area. The proposals would be acceptable in terms of design, scale and appearance."

They added: "Any amenity impacts would be suitably addressed by way of mitigation measures and suitably worded planning conditions whereby additional impacts upon the surrounding area would be negligible.

"The proposed parking provision and layout of the site is considered acceptable in terms of providing an adequate level of off street parking suitable for the proposed use."