David Lloyd Finchley has applied to let members in from 6am every day, an hour earlier on weekdays and two and a half hours earlier on Sundays. Comments close 3 December.

David Lloyd Finchley wants to let members in from 6am every day. The club on Leisure Way, N12 0QZ, has applied to Barnet Council to change the planning condition that sets its opening hours.

The application, 26/4042/S73, was validated on Monday 9 November.

What would change

The hours are fixed by condition 9 of the 2020 permission for the club’s spa extension and seasonal tennis dome, reference 19/5920/FUL. The club’s planning statement quotes the condition as it stands and the wording it wants instead.

Now Proposed
Monday to Saturday 7am to 11pm 6am to 11pm
Sunday 8.30am to 11pm 6am to 11pm

That is one hour earlier on weekdays and Saturdays, and two and a half hours earlier on Sundays. The 11pm closing time stays the same.

Bar chart of the earliest time customers may use David Lloyd Finchley: now 7am Monday to Saturday and 8.30am on Sunday; proposed 6am every day
Earliest customer opening time, now and proposed. Chart by Barnet Live
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The council set the hours in 2020 “to safeguard the amenity of occupiers of neighbouring residential properties”, the condition says.

What the club says

The statement says the change would give “greater flexibility for members”, particularly people who want to use the club before work. It says the revised hours “would better align with member demand”.

It also says:

  • no building work or new facilities are proposed
  • membership numbers would not change
  • the club does not expect “any unacceptable impact” on neighbours

How to comment

The council’s file says a site notice goes up on Thursday 12 November and expires on Thursday 3 December. That is the date to work to.

You can comment on the application online. Comments are published, so keep personal details out of the text. The council’s target date for a decision is 4 January 2027.

What it means for you

  • If you are a member: nothing changes until the council decides. If it agrees, early sessions from 6am, including on Sundays, would become possible.
  • If you live nearby: the question for the council is early-morning noise and traffic, especially on Sundays, when the club would open two and a half hours earlier than now. Say so by 3 December if it matters to you.

Our guide to planning applications in Barnet explains how to find and comment on applications near you.