CHEERS erupted through Maitland Council Chambers following the approval of a development application for a women's only gym in East Maitland.
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The galley was packed with supporters of the Melbourne Street gym, which had been lodged by Lissome owner Nerida Bint, on Tuesday night.
It had been a divisive issue with the application sparking a bitter sparring match between councillors last month - over concerns for traffic and parking around the site
On Tuesday night, the Penfold block remained strong in their opposition of the bid with Cr Mike Yarrington stepping up to speak.
"Nothing here has changed with me. Parking in this area is completely inadequate," he said.
"It doesn't comply with the development control plan in regards to car parking. They've got 14 car parks and according to the development control plan they should have 45.
"Now they have put forward in their submission that they running classes of 20 but that still has a shortfall in parking.
"One of the busiest intersections in Maitland is Melbourne Street."
However, Labor councillors rebutted the concerns.
"The busiest periods for this gym are before and after business hours. This is an existing business zoning ... a new business will be moving into this at some point," Cr Ben Whiting. who moved the motion, said.
"We would be applying a different standard to this gym compared to other gyms that exist."
Labor councillor Don Ferris added he wanted to "welcome the gym to Maitland."
"Community wellbeing is a really important thing, and this is a business that will work towards that," he said.
"We can become too car-centric. We don't need a car park for every person who attends a business."
The application won seven to five by Labor councillors Ben Whiting, Henry Meskauskas, Don Ferris, Robert Aitchison and Loretta Baker with Liberal councillors Ben Mitchell and Kanchan Ranadive.
An ecstatic Ms Bint said she was inundated by calls and messages of support after the meeting.
"I am super thrilled. I am just grateful to the councillors who were open to trying to understand what we are trying to do in Maitland," she said. "I was disappointed by certain councillors not even being open to a discussion ... but I am determined not to let the councillors who did support us down."