Gymfinity submits plans for new home after 16-year search

Gymfinity Gymnastics, which operates from a school hall environment in Westfield Drive, has submitted plans to change the use of an industrial unit at the Stanley Road Trading Estate.

The unit, which formerly housed Vermilion Studios, would be transformed into a purpose-suited facility, allowing the club to continue thriving.

Since it was established at Egerton Youth Club in 2010, Gymfinity has gone from strength to strength, producing regional and national champions, as well as four gymnasts selected to represent England.

In a design and access statement, prepared by 4D Planning, it states the challenges facing the club at its current base include the time-consuming efforts to set up and dismantle equipment; storage constraints; small space restricting class sizes and creating waiting lists; and the inability to offer pre-school provision despite demand.

It adds the facility 'limits safe progression for gymnasts, particularly those moving towards higher performance levels'.

The statement says: "As the club continues to grow, this model is becoming increasingly unsustainable.

"Without a permanent facility, their ability to meet local demand and continue developing young athletes is significantly constrained.

Gymfinity gymnasts has enjoyed plenty of success (Image: Supplied)

"Gymfinity has been actively searching for a suitable permanent facility within Knutsford for over 16 years.

"This has included exploring school sites, commercial units and industrial premises. However, opportunities have been extremely limited, particularly due to a lack of suitable spaces and landlords unwilling to consider leisure-based use.

"This has prevented the club from establishing a long term home despite clear demand and sustained growth.

"The premises in question has been identified as potentially being able to provide a permanent, purpose-suited facility, allowing the club to increase participation for local children, remove waiting lists, provide a safe and appropriate training environment, and continue developing gymnasts from grassroots through to elite level.

"Securing a permanent base within Knutsford is extremely important, as Gymfinity is a long standing part of the local community and would not want to relocate outside the area."

Gymfinity provides gymnastics and acrobatics for children from walking age through to 18 years old, with its core ethos of 'every child matters'.

Gymfinity supports more than 500 youngsters from the Knutsford area (Image: Supplied)

More than 500 children from the Knutsford area are supported by the club, as well as a number of families who travel from across Cheshire.

According to the design and access statement, there is on-site parking for three vehicles, with around 10 shared spaces nearby, and on-street parking.

It adds, as Gymfinity would operate from 4pm to 9pm on weekday evenings and from 9am to 3pm at weekends, the demand for parking would occur when neighbouring businesses are quiet or minimally operating.

There would be three full-time staff and around 25 part-time staff, consisting primarily young people and students, many of whom live nearby and would likely walk, cycle, or take public transport.

The deadline for submitting comments on this application is June 16. They can be done by searching 26/1845/FUL on the Cheshire East Council planning portal.