A BUSINESS owner is urging supporters to attend a vital meeting to help save a popular gym.

Jo Stokes owns Bodycare gym in High Road, Benfleet, which has been operating for the last 34 years.

But the gym is under threat after the building owner’s planning application to convert it into flats has been recommended for approval by officers.

Ms Stokes said she has the support of her colleagues and more than 500 gym members as well as fellow traders and is urging everyone to attend the planning meeting when the application will be decided by the committee.

She added: “It’s great when people pull together to fight for something they believe in.

“If you feel strongly about maintaining a variety of shops and services in Benfleet then it’s really important to attend the hearing on August 7.

“A show of force will demonstrate local residents’ objection to this development and send a very powerful reminder that the opinion of the local community matters.

“We must be given the opportunity to represent our views.”

More than 160 objections have been logged on Castle Point Council’s website.

Kim Fisher, Castle Point’s case worker for the application, recommended the plans for approval subject to 24 conditions including ensuring there is enough parking.

She added: “The proposal represents the redevelopment of an urban brownfield site, allocated for shopping purposes in the local plan, for residential purposes.

“This re-use is consistent with the provisions of the national planning policy framework and in principle is considered acceptable for this site.

“I have taken all other matters raised by interested parties into consideration but none are sufficient to outweigh the considerations that led to the recommendation for approval.”

Ms Stokes says she understands there is a need for new housing but added: “A town is more than just the houses that are in it. It needs a variety of shops and services and a community and things to do. Without those it dies.”

She is encouraging people to attend the hearing as a show of support.

She said: “There has been enormous public interest in this matter thus far and I think a lot of those people will want to be there.” The meeting will take place at the council in Kiln Road, Benfleet, at 7pm on August 7. The agent for the owner did not respond.