Noise nuisance from gym

We represented a group of residents objecting to the planning application to vary the operating hours of the gym and remove noise-limiting conditions.

Our clients, who live above a 24-hour commercial gym in a residential complex, were suffering from noise disturbance caused by loud music late at night and dropping of free weight gym equipment. There was poor sound proofing in the building and generally a lack of measures to mitigate the noise.

The gym sought to vary the conditions imposed by the local planning authority in the parent planning permission which limited the use of certain equipment and areas within the gym at night.

We successfully argued that the gym’s acoustic report was flawed. It failed to follow the relevant guidance on gym acoustics and made several omissions including assessing vibration impacts and that the persistent nature of the noise did not make our clients overly sensitive.

Our clients retained a leading acoustician who had authored cutting-edge guidance detailing the unique requirements of acoustics in gyms, and relied on their technical evidence in our submissions.

In July 2025, the Council refused the variation application. They noted that the application failed to demonstrate the proposed changes would not lead to an increase of adverse impact to neighbouring amenities with regards to noise and disturbance.

Richard Buxton Solicitors has a wealth of experience assisting individuals and residents’ associations dealing with noise nuisance emanating from commercial premises. If you would like to discuss your case with us please email law@richardbuxton.co.uk or call us on 01223 328933.