An application was submitted to Warrington Borough Council seeking confirmation, by way of a section 192 certificate, whether the proposed use of vacant units would be lawful.
The use in question would be as an ‘American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park’, according to applicant Funparx WA Ltd, which is categorised as class E use.
The location in question is units three, six and seven at Chetham Court, Winwick Quay, with all three located in the north east corner beside the existing HSL furniture store.
The use of the units under use class E would establish lawful use, as the change of use within a use class does not require planning permission, documents state.
Unit three, which covers approximately 40 per cent of the floor space, was last occupied by TruNinja, an indoor sport and recreation provider, with the last use of the unit as class E established.
TruNinja announced it was closing in Warrington in June 2023, having opened back in 2018 and offering obstacles to test fitness and agility.
In a statement, it was revealed that this was mainly due to the impacts of Covid, but also due to increasing energy, food and staff costs.
The other existing units in Chetham Court are primarily class E, including shops, a bowling alley and a gym.
“Given the existing units in Chetham Court, on the balance of probabilities, the existing lawful use is class E, and therefore the proposed use would be lawful,” a council document states.
“The proposal does not fall within an office, research or light industrial role, with the application form stating that the proposal will be used for indoor sport, recreation or fitness.”
In its decision notice, the council said: “Based on the information submitted with the application, the proposed use of the units at Chetham Court as an American Ninja Warrior Adventure Park would fall under class E, and as such would be a lawful use of those premises.”