A gym could be open around the clock to fitness fanatics if a planning application is approved.

The JD Gym in Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre in Gillingham has applied to extend its opening hours so it can open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The application, made on March 26, says the extra opening hours would mean the gym could better meet the needs of customers and make the facility more efficient.

Currently the JD Sports-owned gym has permission to open at 6am and close at midnight, but if given the go-ahead the site would be open all the time.

The branch opened in the shopping centre in January 2022.

The application says there would be no negative impacts for local residents as gym members in the additional hours would be able to use the attached car park and so wouldn’t need to park in residential areas nearby.

It also says any additional noise would be negligible as the nearest houses are around 160 metres away.

It adds there are no additional security concerns for the shopping centre as access to the gym is direct from the car park, and so customers wouldn’t have access to any of the closed shops.

At the time of publication, there is only one submission from the public about the application.

Stuart Robinson, from Rainham, said the current restrictions seemed reasonable and wanted to know why they should be changed.

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

The application is being considered by planning officers and submissions for or against the proposals can be made by the public via the council’s planning portal.

The standard consultation ends on April 18 and, depending on the level of response from residents, may go to a planning committee.