A personal trainer who converted a detached garage behind his home into a boutique gym is facing a retrospective planning application and formal complaints from neighbours who say "deep bass" music and class noise have disrupted their lives.
Glen Jepson, 38, who opened SKWAT in an outbuilding at his property in Dibden Purlieu, Hampshire, built the garage after receiving permitted development rights in 2019 and launched the gym with a partner in 2020. The facility, fitted with weights, squat racks and cardio kit, runs appointment-only classes — including Hyrox-style sessions and female-only strength classes — up to five times a day between about 6:30 a.m. and early evening.
Earlier this year a member of New Forest District Council asked Jepson to apply for planning permission for a change of use after a complaint, prompting an application that has drawn more than 70 supportive comments as well as multiple objections from nearby residents. Supporters say the small gym has become a local lifeline and community asset; critics say the music and foot traffic have made life in a quiet residential cul-de-sac difficult.
Several neighbours described sleep disturbance and audible bass vibrations. Jennifer Croxson wrote in an objection that while noise levels had eased recently, the "deep, monotonous bass beats are still detectable as a feeling through the body," making it unpleasant to sit outside during some sessions. Robert Wyatt, whose bedroom backs onto the outbuilding, said he is "awoken by the heavy bass booming from the building from as early as 6.30." Another neighbour, Susan Harvey, said she and her husband, both in their 80s, can hear the gym music over their television from two houses away.
Residents also raised concerns about parking, saying patrons sometimes park on the street and runners using the road outside their homes create an "unreasonable burden". Some neighbours called the gym "completely inappropriate for a quiet, residential cul-de-sac."
Patrons and local supporters counter that the exercise studio provides personalised training and community benefits. User Jack Stone described objections as a "gross mischaracterisation" of the noise and disruption, while local resident Julie Medley called SKWAT an "excellent very personal small gym" that is "loved and respected by many." Chloe Jones, who has attended classes since the gym opened, said the music was "considerate and respectful" and is lowered when doors are opened at the start and end of sessions.
Jepson, a former Royal Navy engineer, rejected claims that the studio is excessively noisy and said the operation would affect his "livelihood" and personal circumstances if forced to close. He told the council that instructors are trained in the use of sound equipment, that systems are preset to a maximum volume "below legal thresholds," and that staff reduce volume significantly before and after classes to minimise disturbance. He said free weights are "seldom dropped" and that when they are, noise outside the building is "negligible and barely audible." The business operates on an appointment-only basis with a stated maximum of 12 clients per session and, Jepson said, space for 15 cars on the property.
The planning process will assess whether the change of use from a domestic outbuilding to a commercial fitness studio is acceptable in a residential area and whether any conditions should be imposed to limit noise, hours of operation or parking impacts. New Forest District Council declined to comment beyond confirming it had requested the applicant seek permission after receiving a complaint.
Hyrox, a competitive indoor fitness format that combines running with functional-station exercises, has increased demand for small, specialised training venues such as SKWAT. That popularity has contributed to the gym's local following, with supporters saying it provides flexible hours for shift workers and those new to exercise.
Jepson said he would "do whatever I can" to keep the business open and stressed that the building was converted to a high standard, aiming to maintain the appearance of a domestic outbuilding while functioning as a purpose-built fitness space. The council will consider written objections and support when deciding the application; any subsequent enforcement action would follow the planning authority's determination.
The dispute reflects a broader tension in growing towns and villages where home-based or small outbuilding businesses operate close to long-standing residential communities. The planning decision will hinge on the council's assessment of the impact on neighbours' amenity and whether mitigation measures or conditions can address the concerns raised.