New health facility could open Swindon
If approved, the new facility will offer a range of health and wellbeing services
A new “health-focused community facility” could open up in Swindon.
The proposal concerns Unit 2 at 34 Ripley Road, Old Town, which was previously occupied by Great Western Windscreens (an automobile windscreen repair/replacement service) until January 2026.
The site is now described as “vacant” on the application form.
The application seeks to change the use of the premises to ‘indoor sport, recreation or fitness.”
If approved, the new facility will offer a range of health and wellbeing services.
These services will include movement and mobility sessions, breathwork, consultations, holistic therapies, red light therapy, and contrast/recovery services.
The business plans to operate mainly on a one-to-one, pre-booked basis, with occasional small-group sessions and workshops.
A planning statement submitted with the application states that the proposal aims to support local economic activity and community wellbeing.
It reads: “This Change of Use application proposes a health-focused community facility, delivered through a small local business, in an accessible Old Town location.
“The proposal for Unit 2 supports local economic activity and community wellbeing and provides community-serving facilities within an established neighbourhood hub.”
The statement also highlights that the business will “primarily serve the local community”.
The location is well-served by nearby public car parks and is accessible by walking, cycling and public transport.
The existing parking area to the rear of the premises will be fully retained, and new cycle storage will be created.
The business intends to manage client arrivals and departures by staggering appointments and sessions throughout the day.
This approach is designed to keep client numbers small and manageable, and to ensure the proposed use does not increase traffic or parking pressure in the area.
The planning statement also notes that all activities will take place internally within the premises, and no outdoor activities are proposed.
It adds that all activities are generally quiet, and the use is not expected to cause unacceptable noise or disturbance or negatively impact the amenity of nearby properties.
The opening hours are expected to be 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, 9am-1pm on Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Bank Holidays, according to the application form.
The planning statement concludes: “The proposed Change of Use will provide a small-scale health and wellbeing facility serving the local community while bringing a vacant established commercial premises into beneficial use.
“The nature and scale of the operation will ensure that activity and footfall remain controlled and appropriate to the surrounding area.
“It is therefore respectfully requested that planning permission for the proposed Change of Use of Unit 2 at 34 Ripley Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4DE, to Class E(d) be granted.”
The application form indicates that work already started without consent on Saturday, August 1, 2026.