Corfe Castle in Dorset is to get replacement outdoor gym equipment but it will be located on a new site, despite objections from some local residents.
Planning permission has been approved for five pieces of outdoor gym equipment, including an air walker, ski stepper, twister and cycle machines, to be positioned on the community sports field off Hollands Close, opposite the village’s main public car park.
Concerns about noise, vandalism, traffic and parking were raised and dismissed
Fitness facility will cost £15,000
The gym, proposed by the Corfe Castle Sports Trust, is to cost around £15,000 and will be primarily funded by Corfe Castle parish council.
Six adult exercise machines used to be sited next to the children’s playground behind West Street, but eventually became too expensive to repair and were replaced in 2022 by a popular wooden castle play area for children.
At the time, the parish council gave a commitment to replace the adult machines when it could, but it has since become illegal to have adult exercise machines within 25 metres of a children’s playground, so a new site had to be found.
CHRISSIE NEVILLE
Studland villagers opened their outdoor gym in 2023 to a lot of interest
Objections from three local residents
At a Dorset Council planning committee meeting on Wednesday 14th January 2026 it was heard that the application had received three objections from residents in West Street about potential noise, vandalism and parking problems.
And as Dorset Council itself owns the grass verge along Hollands Close which would be used for a new gate to access the proposed gym, the Eastern Area planning committee had to discuss the plans.
Councillors voted unanimously to pass the scheme, and work is now expected to begin by spring 2026.
The gym equipment will be sited in a quiet corner of Corfe Castle’s sports field
“It will support health and wellbeing”
Planning officer Liz Adams told the meeting:
“Given the small scale of the equipment, the lightweight frames, the use of grey and green paint and rubber grass matting, it will not harm the appearance of the national landscape.
“However, given the sensitive nature of the site, we have also included a condition that will require the removal of the equipment and the matting should it fall into disuse.
“Some objectors have raised concerns about additional noise and potential antisocial behaviour, but due to the limited nature of the equipment it is not thought to be likely, nor will it result in significant changes to the numbers of pedestrians or vehicles.
“The provision of outdoor gym equipment is judged to be well considered, will be funded by the parish council, will further the use of the sports field and will support health and wellbeing objectives to the benefit of the whole community.”
Adult exercise machines were previously next to the children’s play area, and replaced by a wooden castle
“A sensible and suitable alternative”
In a statement of support to the committee, Dorset councillor Ben Wilson who represents South East Purbeck ward which includes Corfe Castle, said:
“The equipment is a replacement for some which had reached end of life and couldn’t be replaced in a similar location as it is now unlawful to install such equipment within 25 metres of a children’s play area.
“Relocating to the sports field is a sensible and suitable alternative. The gym equipment will be made available to all members of the public on the edge of an existing sports facility and is beneficial to the health of residents.
“It has received no objection from any of the stakeholder groups, including the parish council, the National Trust, and Dorset Council’s conservation officer.
“A limited number of local concerns have been raised, that the equipment might encourage people to congregate on the sports field, but it should be noted that while in its previous location, there were no recorded incidents of antisocial behaviour.”
The planning committee heard it was now illegal to site gym equipment within 25 metres of a playground
“Full of fit people in lycra”
Wareham ward member for Dorset Council Beryl Ezzard told the meeting:
“Corfe Castle is my home village and this application is necessary. The gym equipment will be better suited to the playing field right next to the main car park, and I can’t see there being any antisocial behaviour because most of the youngsters would gather in the main village. I think it is ideal.”
And councillor Alex Brenton of Lytchett Matravers said:
“I fully support the application, this fear of antisocial behaviour has no grounds – it is not seen as desperately cool by teenagers to go and use sports equipment, they will probably make far more noise at football practice, which is on the same field.
“The worries are over exaggerated – people will probably run to this site and make it part of their morning routine around the village rather than drive there.
“I am sure that Corfe Castle is full of fit people in lycra who will enjoy this stuff and I would like to back the proposal.”
Some residents of West Street, Corfe Castle, were concerned about noise and vandalism if the plan went ahead
“A real risk to privacy and peace”
But objector Tom Owens said in a statement to the committee:
“I am sceptical the equipment will meet the community’s needs – it is appropriate for an urban site where opportunities for outdoor exercise are limited. This is not the case here, where residents do not need to use an air walker which ‘mimics the motion of a brisk walk’.
“It is highly likely the equipment will fall into disuse, especially in the winter, and quickly become only an unsightly addition cluttering the beautiful landscape, of which the councillors are custodians.
“If the equipment is used, there is a real risk to the privacy and peace of neighbours; users will directly overlook private gardens and homes, and the likelihood of excessive noise (both mechanical and human) is high.
“If such equipment is desired, it would blend better in the existing playground closer to the centre of the village, where it is also more accessible. I urge the council to reject the application.”
Further information
- Dorset Council eastern area planning committee agenda and Corfe Castle gym equipment planning report