"My OAP Neighbors Disapprove of the Pilates Studio in My Nan's Garden, But I’m Unbothered – They Just Don’t Like Me Because I’m an Influencer!"

Table of Contents

• Influencer's Response to Complaints
• Details About the Pilates Studio
• Community Reactions
• Planning Application Status
• FAQ

A WELLNESS influencer has labeled her neighbors as “narrow-minded” after they raised concerns about her “noisy” garden Pilates studio.

Megan Smith, 24, has transformed a swimming pool outbuilding into a Pilates studio and matcha café over the past two months.

The influencer is at the center of a planning dispute after opening a Pilates studioCredit: Jason Bye Megan teaches early-morning Reformer Pilates classes which have drawn criticismCredit: Jason Bye The studio features a small café and is located in the garden of Megan’s grandparents' homeCredit: Jason Bye

Residents have expressed that they are disturbed by early classes and customers blocking the road outside the £825,000 detached home.

Megan, who has 23,000 followers on Instagram, stated: “There have been complaints submitted to the council regarding potential noise, but we hired a noise consultant to assess the sound levels during classes, and they were completely acceptable.

“The windows are closed, and we have air conditioning, so you can’t hear anything.

“I believe some people are objecting because it is something new and they are resistant to change. People in this area can be quite narrow-minded.”

Megan, who previously worked as a fitness influencer, believes that she is “not causing any harm.”

She added: “I spoke to my grandparents about my plans, and they were very supportive.

“They had been using the outbuilding next to their swimming pool as a pool room with a bar and agreed to let me convert it into a studio.”

The studio was constructed by Megan’s 71-year-old grandfather, Bernie Smith, and she invested all her savings into five Reformer Pilates machines.

A planning consultant advised Megan to start classes immediately, even though she recognized that she would need planning permission.

She mentioned: “We applied to the council, but it took a long time and I needed to start earning.

“Approximately 80 percent of my clients come from nearby, and many can walk here while others share rides.

“There is ample parking available in my grandparents’ driveway, which has both in and out entrances, so there is no significant issue with congestion.

“I schedule at least a 15-minute gap between classes, so people don’t interfere with each other.

“Norfolk highways were consulted about my activities, and they had no objections at all.”

Megan expressed her desire to teach Pilates after living in DubaiCredit: Jason Bye The studio was established without planning permissionCredit: Jason Bye Megan is a fitness influencer with 23,000 followers on InstagramCredit: Jason Bye

Megan reported that all her classes are fully booked, catering to individuals aged 18 to their 60s with £23 classes and £40 one-on-one sessions.

The council is set to consider her application next Monday, and Bernie mentioned that officers from the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk had expressed support for the studio.

Bern