Plans have been unveiled for a new 24-hour gym and drive-thru coffee shop in Morecambe.

Aston Cox Ltd have submitted a planning application to Lancaster City Council for the construction of new employment buildings, a gym and fitness centre, six rapid public EV chargers and substation, a drive-thru coffee shop, a car workshop and MOT bay, internal roads, service areas, car parking, landscaping and associated site works on land to the north of Mellishaw Lane, Morecambe.

The design and access statement said: “The site layout has been developed to provide a range of sizes of buildings with front service and parking areas.

“There is demand for a gym and fitness Centre on site and one unit lends itself very well to this use.

Recently constructed buildings on the site off Mellishaw Lane in Morecambe.

placeholder image — Recently constructed buildings on the site off Mellishaw Lane in Morecambe.

“At present, employees on the site wishing to access these facilities need to drive offsite into Lancaster or Morecambe.

“Facilities on site are more sustainable and avoid unnecessary trips offsite.

“Another unit, Unit K is designed as a drive-thru coffee shop to support the public rapid Electric Vehicle charging bays.

“There is a shortage of local public EV charging and the presence of the drive-thru coffee shop supports the EV bays.

“Likewise, there are no food and drink outlets on Mellishaw North and employees have to drive off site to access these.

“Providing facilities on site provides a sustainable solution to avoid unnecessary trips off site.”

Planning documents also said that another unit, Unit J is designed as an MOT and workshop associated with the applicants (Aston Cox Ltd) core business within the motor trade.

The planning statement said: “The gym unit will be located in the north portion of the site, and the coffee drive-thru in the southern portion either side of a communal parking area.

“The parking provision also includes 12 EV charging points. The proposed development will result in a series of economic benefits, including the creation of circa 30-40 jobs via the drive thru and gym and 28 via the employment units resulting in the creation of 58-68 positions.

“It is intended for both the drive-thru coffee shop unit and gym unit to be operational 24 hours daily.

"The proposed PureGym unit would provide a focused fitness offer comprising cardio, strength, resistance and functional training equipment, alongside group exercise classes and personal training.”

In conclusion the document said: “The application fully accords with both national and local planning policy and should therefore be considered favourably by the council.

"It will have an overall positive effect on the area by way the provision of facilities for which there is a need, as well as high quality design and landscaping.”

Councillors have yet to make a decision on the planning application.

View planning application reference number 26/00966/FUL at https://www.lancaster.gov.uk/planning