Pilates influencer can keep her garden studio despite not having planning permission

A Pilates studio that caused a stir among some villagers in Norfolk has been given the okay to operate for another year.

Owner of Luco Wellness, 24-year-old Megan Smith, sparked a bitter row after setting up a £30,000 Pilates studio on her grandparents’ £825,000 property.

The gym, named Luco Wellness after Megan’s dachshund Lulu and cockapoo Coco, opened its doors on November 3 and welcomed nearly 50 people in the space of a week.

But locals have railed against the influencer’s wellness business venture, claiming that noise from the studio and traffic on the roads could disrupt church services and Remembrance parades.

Now, she’s been praised by the planning committee at West Norfolk Council for opening her reformer Pilates studio.

Councillors unanimously agreed to approve a retrospective change of use of a swimming pool hut at Linnymead on Manor Road to a Pilates studio for a year.

This is to see if the conditions work, and it will be reviewed again by councillors in 2027.

Neighbours had voiced concerns about customer parking and noise levels, but Councillor Richard Coates said he could not hear any noise from the studio ‘at all’ when he visited.

Ms Smith received praise for bringing ‘something different to West Norfolk’.

The studio has already been open for two months, with Ms Smith saying she can help with ‘rehabilitation, improving flexibility, or achieving a leaner physique’.

The studio is located at the back of Ms Smith’s grandparents’ property, alongside Luco Nourish, an on-site cafe which offers ‘takeaway organic matchas, coffees and açai bowls’.

During the meeting, Cllr Sue Lintern said she ‘fully supports the application’, adding: ‘I applaud this young lady for bringing forward a business in the current climate.

‘Having looked for a reformer Pilates class myself, there are very few of them. She has spotted a gap in the market that will hopefully take off well for her.’

A total of five customer spaces have been allocated, and a one-way system for customers to gain access to the studio has also been implemented.

Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Simon Ring, added: ‘I hope the neighbours can get back to how they once were and support this.

‘It is an excellent business, and hopefully happiness will come back to North Wootton.’

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