Cheerleaders win plan to use Milton Keynes factory as new base

Milton Keynes Cheerleading Academy (MKCA) has been so successful over the last 18 years that it needs more space to be able to train hundreds of children in the city.

They applied to Milton Keynes Council to change the use of the unit in Potters Lane, Kiln Farm, from an industrial unit to a cheerleading and gymnastics academy. The unit’s last industrial occupier had been printer DRS Bureau.

Planning officials used powers delegated to them to approve the application, despite some concerns over parking. They also judged it would not cause a loss of employment opportunities in the industrial area.

The council’s highways officer did not object but was worried about possible parking problems in the area.

He said: “In the event of high parking activity associated with adjacent units along with demand for spaces from this unit then there is the potential for danger to pedestrian safety if parents are unable to park within marked out bays.”

The academy had been looking for a space with ceilings that are at least 5.5 metres high because their moves include lifts, throws and stacks which can include people standing on top of each other.

Planning officers added that planning rules were changing to allow such changes to be made under permitted developments.

To find out more about the academy visit http://mkca.co.uk/