Tain's Silverback Gym gets extension go-ahead from planners
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A FITNESS centre and gym in Easter Ross is set to expand its Tain site after council planners granted it the green light.
Silverback Gym and Fitness, which is based on the Blarliath Industrial Estate, had sought permission to build a connected extension and covered outside exercise area on land between the existing building and the Far North railway line at the rear.
The move was part of efforts to provide a small additional studio to cater to gym members who wished to get one-to-one instruction in a more private area, such as those who might be more anxious or vulnerable.
A design statement added that the new extension could also be used for private class space.
The expansion also came following the gym's move to open another site in Dornoch in 2021, which attracted around 23 per cent of the existing Tain members who lived on the other side of the firth and previously travelled into Easter Ross for their workout.
"This led us to thinking how we could improve our service, not only for our local membership community but also to our visiting members – tourists, friends and family visits, travelling workers on short contracts etc," said the statement.
"Given that a significant proportion of our membership are now not driving to Tain we believe that the proposed studio space and external gym will not increase the load on the existing ancillary facilities at the gym, and that the current parking provision (for 12 vehicles) will continue to be sufficient."
It added: "The proposed studio space and external gym are intended to enhance the service we provide for our existing membership and are not being created with a view to increasing membership numbers."
Three or four trees on the site will need to be felled to make way for the extension.
Granting approval of the application, council officers said: "Given these trees are not categorised as mature trees or for having any universal value within the surrounding area, the removal of existing trees to allow the development to proceed is considered acceptable."
