A NEW gym could be created in Farnworth Market after plans were submitted to transform two vacant units.

Developers are proposing to change the use of an unused part of the King's Street hub from retail to a gym.

The facility would be one of only two mixed-fitness gyms in the Farnworth area with the other being the leisure centre.

A statement submitted with the planning application last week said: "The proposals do not involve any alterations to the external fabric of the building.

"The proposed gym will be one of only two mixed fitness gyms in the Farnworth area, the only other being Farnworth Leisure Centre which is limited in size and capacity.

"The business will employ around 15 people from the local area in a variety of full and part time roles.

"The application site is in an area comprising of a wide variety of commercial uses in several different buildings, all owned by the same client.

"There are plenty of free car parking spaces available for every business."

The proposal is specifically to build the gym in stores one and two in the market.

The applicant described the site as in an "extremely sustainable" location due to the nearby bus station.

As part of the proposal, an internal bike store would be erected.

The statement continued: "The existing building is vast in size but remains mainly un-used and in need of new investment.

"The proposal will allow for all existing market stalls to remain, utilising the current free space.

"It will help improve the appearance of a prominent local building."

The statement concluded: "The proposal delivers benefits to the local economy, the local community and to the building itself.

"The National Planning Policy Framework states that where development proposals accord with the development plan they should be approved without delay. In this case, the proposals fully comply with all relevant policies contained within the unitary development plan and core strategy and so the application should be approved accordingly."

The plans were submitted by agents Ronson Building Design on behalf of the applicant Matt Biggar.

A decision will be made by planning officers at Bolton Council in the near future.

The application can be viewed by searching for reference number 03148/18 on the planning portal at bolton.gov.uk