Empty vandalised church in Great Barr could become martial arts gym
An empty former church could be turned into a martial arts gym under new plans.
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The old Newton Road United Reformed Church in Great Barr would be cleaned up and converted into a new Kung Fu Shaolin Mantis martial arts gym and new offices and flats under a proposal by GIS Investments.
The 100-year-old church closed in 2017 and has remained empty since. It has been the subject of vandalism, drug use and anti-social behaviour.
The proposals submitted to Sandwell Council show the former church would be converted into the gym, seven new offices and two two-bed flats.
A statement included with the application: “It is proposed for the lower ground floor of the existing building to provide a martial arts gym, comprising a dedicated gym area and a large hall for training.
“The martial arts gym will be supported by ancillary facilities, including a staff room/kitchen, changing rooms, and toilets.
“The upper ground floor will accommodate seven individual commercial office spaces, which will cater to the needs of small and medium-sized businesses.
“A new mezzanine floor is proposed to provide two two-bedroom three-person residential apartments, above the commercial and gym use. Each of the proposed residential apartments will benefit from a large open plan living and dining room and kitchen, and a family-sized bathroom.”
Shaolin Mantis has been practised for over 300 years with a concentration on the Yin and Yang philosophy, as well as meditation to compliment the body.
“The absence of comparable facilities highlights a gap in the availability of traditional Chinese martial arts gyms within the area,” the application continued.
“The proposed gym will therefore be the only dedicated Shaolin Mantis training centre within the local vicinity, ensuring that members of the community have access to this martial arts training.”
