A wellness influencer in King’s Lynn built a pilates studio in her grandfather’s garden without planning permission, sparking complaints from neighbors about noise and traffic disruptions.
Wellness Influencer Faces Neighbors’ Backlash Over Pilates Studio
A wellness influencer has upset her neighbors after creating a “noisy” pilates studio in her grandfather’s garden.
Megan Smith, 24, has converted the outhouse of her grandfather’s £825,000 home in Norfolk into a wellness center. This center includes a matcha cafe, sauna, hot tub, and ice baths.
Studio Details and Operations
Megan Smith opened her pilates studio without planning permission. She trained in wellness centers in Dubai for three years before returning to King’s Lynn. Her studio, named Luco Wellness, opened on November 3, 2025.
The studio offers up to six classes a day. Classes run from 6 am to 7 pm on weekdays and from 9 am to 12 pm on weekends. Prices range from £23 for a single class to £40 for a private session.
| Class Schedule | Weekdays | Weekends |
|---|---|---|
| Class Times | 6 am – 7 pm | 9 am – 12 pm |
| Class Prices | £23 (single) | £40 (private) |
The cafe, Luco Nourish, serves organic matcha lattes and Acai bowls for clients after their sessions.
Community Concerns
Neighbors have complained about early morning classes and clients blocking the road. They express concerns about inadequate parking and safety risks for pedestrians.
Residents argue that the studio disrupts the peaceful enjoyment of their properties. Megan is seeking retrospective planning permission after starting construction in early 2025 without council approval.
Many locals have contacted a planning firm to oppose Megan’s application. A letter states that while the studio building may not cause noise, customer activity does. It claims this level of activity is inappropriate for a residential area.
The letter concludes that the business would harm local residents’ amenities and create safety issues due to increased traffic.
Support and Opposition
Not all neighbors oppose Luco Wellness. Some support Megan’s efforts. Vince Williamson, 62, said, “I’m fine with it – maybe my wife will go to it.”
Betty Engledow, 79, mentioned her friends enjoy Pilates and that her husband might be interested in attending classes.
The application states a maximum of 25 one-hour classes will be held each week, with a maximum of five attendees per class.
Council Review
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council will review the application on January 12. A planning committee document states that the site has adequate parking for patrons and that noise will mainly come from cars and people talking.
The document suggests that conditioning the use of the studio to inside and keeping windows and doors closed during classes will help mitigate noise.
Planning consultants for Megan have stated that loud music will be played at a very low level or not at all. They also noted that the driveway has historically accommodated up to 12 vehicles and proposed a one-way system for parking.
Megan must wait until January 12 to learn the fate of her pilates studio.
