The Royal Borough has blocked a set of plans to turn two agricultural outbuildings at a farm in Cookham into indoor recreation studios.

Jerome Challen, director of Challen’s Chicks Farm, was looking to convert the buildings in Winter Hill Road, used as chicken shelters, into a studio for yoga, Pilates and tai chi classes.

Similar proposals for converting the space into flexible commercial use were submitted to the council in 2023 and in July 2025.

The local authority refused both applications, saying there was limited information provided to show that increased vehicle movements generated by the classes would not affect highway safety.

Planning officers also raised concerns about the ‘unacceptable’ risk of surface water flooding.

In another attempt to get planning permission, Mr Challen submitted a revised application in November 2025 addressing the council’s previous concerns.

The cover letter submitted by representatives ET Planning stressed that the site is in flood zone 1 – the lowest flood zone risk area – with drainage design details also included as part of the plans.

A new hardstanding area to the east of the buildings will also be built featuring 12 parking spaces, as well as EV charging points and covered cycle parking.

This led one resident to object, saying cycling in the dark around Cookham Dean’s narrow roads is ‘dangerous’.