Plans to build a new community sports centre on Warren View Playing Fields were opposed by councillors last night (Monday, November 4). 

It was discussed by the town council on Monday night and it was debated by the committee. Six councillors voted against with two abstentions.

This is not the final decision and the plans will now go before the East Devon District Council planning committee before a final decision is made.

The revised plans were set to be discussed at the monthly Exmouth Town Council planning meeting on Monday (November 4).

The council agenda said: "Construction of new boxing gym and community sport building with associated parking and landscaping.

"Amended plans for consultation are the reduced height of building and removal of first floor, amended Highways Technical Note, updated foul and surface water drainage strategy and updated planning statement and letter from the applicant."

Plans first surfaced in July 2023 to build the new sports ground. After a consultation by the club and members of the public, a revised plan was submitted in response to that consultation.

Read more: Exmouth Boxing Club submit plans for new centre in Exmouth.

Exmouth Amateur Boxing Club has submitted a planning application to East Devon District Council to build a new boxing gym and community sport building at Warren View Sports Ground Halsdon Avenue Exmouth. Access to the new building will be via the existing road leading to the Exmouth Town Football Clubhouse. 

The building, just East of Halsdon Playing Fields will have two floors with a three-ring boxing gym at ground level and a gym on first floor. The application says: "The proposal would be able to host large championship events in Exmouth which, at this scale, would be the one only of its like in the southwest and would be able to host national events, attracting high-level amateur boxing competitions and training programs to Exmouth.” 

The first floor will have a multi-functional gym space, male and female changing rooms with a separate classroom for training events. A car parking area would have 29 parking spaces, three disabled spaces, three EV car spaces and seven bike parking spaces. 

The application also says that the two existing football pitches will be unaffected by the works. A travel plan will be put in place on Saturdays to work with Exmouth Town Football Club. Opening hours will be from 8am to 10pm, and 9am to 8pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. 

The club is currently based at 4 New Road, Exmouth, and has had a presence in the town since 1947. The intention of EABC is to futureproof itself as a local sports club.

The old site also hosts other small-scale community sport uses including junior classes, yoga events and ladies-only fitness circuits. Due to the current size of this gym, the club is now highly oversubscribed and having to turn people away, whichis why the club say it is important to move somewhere else.