A CAMPAIGN has been launched against a 24-hour gym which opponents say will encourage antisocial behaviour and cause parking problems.
The group say residents were not consulted properly and have set up a website which declares it will 'change the neighbourhood for ever'.
The gym is being built by Gym Group on the former site of the Daniel department store in Uxbridge Road, Ealing. The two floors had been vacant for more than five years after Daniel, who developed the seven storey building, which includes flats, decided the space was no longer suitable for its needs.
As reported in July, the fitness centre, set to open on November 9 will only be staffed from 8am to 8pm with members able to use a swipe card for access.
The group's web page uses pictures of the riots, of the recent shooting and of other crimes in West Ealing, to show residents in the area have already had to tolerate a lot of disruption.
It adds: "This site does not have any problem whatsoever with Gym Group as a company... Simply it is our view that any business located in this area should only be able to operate in normal business hours and not be allowed to operate throughout the night."
And claims only a small amount of people were consulted by council planners, 90 per cent of them in the building itself.
But a council spokeswoman said a proper consultation was carried out.
She said: "Prior to the decision being taken, we sent consultation letters to 197 nearby households and other interested parties. We received four formal responses. This is the usual level of consultation we would undertake for developments of this size."
David Highton, chairman of West Ealing Neighbours, said residents's views were split about the new gym.
He said: "There is no uniform WEN view. It's good to see the building being used but I can see the concerns people have about parking and the number of people using it at night.
"I have no experience of 24-hour gyms so my view is to give it a chance, wait and see what happens and if any problems arise then tackle them."
The Gym Group says it has 16 other 24-hour gyms in a range of locations without any problems. It says most of its members use the facilities between 8am and 8pm and less than 15 per cent of members travel by car.
CEO John Treharne said: "We're delighted to be opening our doors in Ealing and giving people the opportunity to exercise at a time that suits them at an affordable price. We would be very happy to meet with local residents, and hope to be able to allay any concerns."
The creators of the website www.residentsunite.co.uk could not be contacted.
