Plans for a fitness studio have been approved despite residents' concerns over parking and noise disturbance.

The proposed site, in Sirdar Road, Rayleigh, is currently empty but owners have now been granted permission to convert the building into a small gym with a number of conditions.

Applicant Robert Barber spoke at the Rochford District Council's development control meeting to reassure members and the community that his gym would not be a large scale operation.

He said: "I’m a personal trainer and nutritionist who has lived locally all my life. Every day I help people improve their health and fitness.

"I have applied for planning application to change the use to a small fitness studio where we will be offering one-to-one and small group training.

"The group training will mainly be at evenings and weekends and will be capped at 8 people. All clients must pre-book into the sessions so you won’t have people just showing up whenever they want like a regular gym.

"In the daytime it will mainly be one-to-one training and there is enough room on the site for 8 cars comfortably which is more than enough for customers and the coaches. I will make it very clear to all clients not to park in Woodlands Avenue.

"I will be playing music but this will not be at a level that will affect anybody. I am continually giving tips and advice to my clients throughout sessions so the music must be at a low enough level for them to be able to hear me.

"Where I am currently, in rectory road in Leigh, we have shops either side, flats above and house much closer than the ones at the propose site, we have never had any complaints regarding issues with noise."

Ward councillor for Lodge Ian Ward also spoke at the meeting to make known the concerns of his residents.

He said: "Issues causing the greatest concern are those that are going to cause a loss of ammenity to residents in Woodlands Avenue.

"If the gym was situated elsewhere it would not raise the concern that it is this evening.

"But at present, the alleway on to Woodlands Avenue will provide a convenient slip way for the gym's customers.

"The house opening are far higher than what residents have been subjected to in the past. The possibility of continued loud music is also a concern."

After much debate, the members decided that the plans were acceptable as long as certain conditions were imposed.

These included no amplified music or speech broadcast externally, windows to be kept shut when amplified music is being played and that no music is audible from the premises' boundary.

Other conditions included a parking management plan, the provision of bike racks and the restriction of use to ensure only one-to-one and small group sessions are permitted.