Plans to turn a former carpet shop into a 24-hour gym have been approved, despite public objections.

PureGym group put in a bid to the district council in November to create a new health and exercise facility on Park Farm Road in Folkestone.

The site on Park Farm Industrial Estate used to be occupied by Carpetright.

There is parking space for 112 cars, which is considered enough for the new use of the site, according to planning documents.

A mezzanine floor will also be built into the building and it is expected to create more than a dozen jobs.

But the application received a mixed reception at consultation, with many fearing it could exacerbate traffic issues in the area.

John Warrington said: “It’s a retail park and should stay as this.

"We have enough gyms in the town to service the residents of the town, commercial run and family run.”

Kia Krzyszka wrote: “Having this amount of traffic hitting this area at one time will be unmanageable on that site.

"Being 24 hour will not alleviate this as gyms are busy predominately mornings and evenings at peak traffic times.”

Others expressed more favourable views.

Harrison Dawes said: “Its a perfect location as it’s near the motorway and it will bring custom to Sainsbury’s and McDonalds, as people buy food after the gym.

"As it's a 24 hour gym there will be no parking or traffic issues as people will be able to train at any time to suit them.”

Mr C Godly said: “This unit is no use as retail, the demand is not there. To leave it empty is a complete waste of a wonderful resource that could be being utilised.

"It will also bring some jobs and increase footfall.”

An assessment for alternative locations was carried out but no other suitable venues were established in the town or Cheriton and Hawkinge.

In the application, agent Peter Brett Associates said: “We note that there are a number of existing gym facilities within and outside of Folkestone town centre, mainly independent operations with the exception of the Bannatyne Health Club which is in an out of town centre location to the west of the application site.

“As such, any impacts on would be spread across a number of existing destinations and impacts on any in-centre facilities would be limited.

"Fewer members would use the gym at the weekend, when neighbouring retail facilities are likely to be at their busiest.”

Development must begin within three years.