Professor Diego Altamirano is seeking approval from the city council to vary a condition on the existing planning permission for the outbuilding in the rear garden of 7 Medina Road in Shirley.
The existing permission states that fitness classes can only take place from 5.30pm to 9pm on weekdays, with a maximum of eight clients attending at any one time.
The applicant wants to have more flexibility around the use of the building, with fitness classes for up to 10 people permitted from 9.15am to 9pm on weekdays and 10am to 6pm on weekends.
The proposal received 13 objections from residents, which triggered it going before the council’s planning and rights of way panel.
Concerns have been raised about the more intense use being inappropriate for a small residential street, the impact on parking and highway safety, and noise disturbance.
One objector said: “As the closest neighbour, I am already regularly disturbed by noise and vehicle movement from the property.
“What was once a quiet residential environment has become increasingly disruptive, particularly in the evenings and at weekends.
“Any further increase in customer numbers or opening hours would only worsen this situation.”
The neighbour said approving the application would set an “unwelcome precedent” for the area.
Another objector said: “This proposal is not a minor adjustment – it is a dramatic intensification of use that is wholly inappropriate for a residential area and would cause more significant and ongoing harm to the wellbeing, privacy, and daily lives of neighbouring residents.”
One comment submitted in support of the scheme said the studio offered a “supportive, inclusive space that boosts wellbeing and enriches Southampton’s cultural scene”.
A statement from the applicant said they did not intend to operate for the full duration of the hours requested.
They said: “The purpose of this request is simply to allow flexibility in scheduling occasional sessions when needed.”
The applicant said their regular fitness-based classes, such as pole, aerial hoop, and aerial silks, would remain limited to eight participants due to equipment and spacing requirements.
Planning officers are recommending that councillors approve the application at the panel meeting on Tuesday, January 20.
A report to the meeting said: “The proposals to use the outbuilding for exercise classes on a more regular basis during the working week, and weekends would result in an intensification of the site and could result in noise impacts to neighbouring properties.
“The noise impacts would primarily result from additional comings and goings to the site.
“Officers accept that the intensification will be noticeable.
“However, regular organised sessions would be limited to two or three sessions per day, and the number of participants would not regularly exceed the current number already permitted.”