Plans to turn former library into a gym are approved after two years

Ongoing efforts to turn the historic former Bideford Library building into a gym and fitness centre have been approved after almost two years in the planning process.

Torridge District Council announced today (Thursday, March 5) its planning committee had signed off plans to create a ‘multifunctional sport and fitness facility’ in the Grade II listed building.

The fitness centre will be run by the council’s leisure company Active Torridge, with construction work is expected to start this summer and take 14 months to complete.

READ NEXT: Controversial gym plans for old Bideford Library go back to drawing board

The development includes internal works to the building to provide a co-working facility, consisting of three open plan co-working spaces, a meeting room, a manager’s office and ancillary facilities, including a break-out space, staff room and toilet/shower facilities.

The plans were initially submitted in May 2024 and given planning permission in principle in July of that year – but were then sent ‘back to the drawing board’ by planning committee councillors when the more detailed plans were scrutinised.

Committee members had concerns over the visual impact of proposed solar panels plus the potential for noise from air source heat pumps in a town centre area.

The application was deferred and council officers agreed to go away and look at alternate panel types as well as consider removing the heat pumps or seeking a different option.

In its announcement today, the council referred to upgrading the heating, power, lighting and ventilation systems, but as yet it is not clear what the solution was to the issues raised – the Gazette has asked for more information.

The building will see extensive renovation works to improve its energy efficiency, including replacing the entire roof, as well as better insulation, plus replacing the single storey extension at the rear of the former library.

Other works include adding secondary glazing to the windows, upgrading internal doors for fire safety and rebuilding the retaining wall at the rear next to Nunnery Walk.

There will also be general conservation, repair and maintenance work to the listed building, including masonry repairs, to ensure it keeps the existing character of the façade, albeit with some minor additional signage.

READ NEXT: Fitness centre plans submitted for old library in Bideford

Councillor Ken James, leader of Torridge District Council, welcomed the news and said: “I am delighted planning permission has been granted for this new fitness hub and the associated improvements that this prominent and well-loved building so deserves. 

“There is very much a need for creating more spaces that support improving health and wellbeing in Torridge and this is a fantastic opportunity for us to do so using a building that is desperately in need of renovation. 

“The recent Active Lives survey still suggests that Torridge is the most inactive area of Devon so we hope this development will help support combating this issue locally.”