Megan Smith, a 24-year-old wellness influencer and personal trainer, has found herself at the centre of a heated planning dispute after converting an outbuilding in her grandfather’s garden into a fully operational pilates and wellness studio without prior council approval. What began as an ambitious attempt to bring high-end wellness culture to a quiet Norfolk neighbourhood has evolved into a contentious debate over planning rules, residential amenity, noise, traffic, and the boundaries between home life and commercial enterprise. The dispute, now heading for a council planning committee decision, has divided local opinion while shining a spotlight on the growing trend of influencers transforming private spaces into commercial wellness ventures.
Megan Smith’s Background and the Creation of Luco Wellness
Megan Smith returned to King’s Lynn after spending three years training and working at wellness centres in Dubai, where boutique fitness studios, luxury recovery treatments, and lifestyle branding are deeply embedded in urban culture. Drawing on this experience, she set out to establish her own venture, Luco Wellness, positioning it as a premium studio focused on reformer pilates and holistic recovery. The studio officially opened in November 2025, operating from an outhouse located within the grounds of her grandfather Bernard Smith’s £825,000 home.
The converted outbuilding was transformed into a multi-use wellness space offering far more than standard pilates classes. Alongside reformer sessions, Luco Wellness features a sauna, hot tub, ice baths, and an on-site café called Luco Nourish. The café serves organic matcha lattes and açai bowls, marketed as post-workout nutrition designed to “nourish both the body and mind.” The studio’s branding and language emphasise elegance, precision, and confidence, presenting the space as a sanctuary rather than a conventional gym.
Megan and her grandfather are both listed as directors of the business, reflecting the family nature of the venture and the fact that the studio operates on private residential land. Beyond in-person services, Megan has also developed a retail arm for Luco Wellness, selling branded bath sheets, tote bags, and grip socks through the studio’s website. These products reinforce the influencer-driven model of the business, where lifestyle branding extends beyond physical classes into merchandise and online identity.
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Classes at Luco Wellness are offered frequently, with up to six sessions per day. Weekday classes run from as early as 6am until 7pm, while weekend sessions are scheduled between 9am and 12pm. Pricing reflects the boutique positioning of the studio, with single classes costing £23 and private sessions priced at £40 per person. According to the planning application, the business proposes a maximum of 25 one-hour classes per week, with no more than five participants per session.
Neighbour Complaints and the Escalation of the Planning Dispute
Despite its carefully curated wellness image, Luco Wellness has triggered significant opposition from neighbouring residents. Complaints centre primarily on noise, traffic, parking congestion, and the perceived incompatibility of a commercial operation within a residential setting. Residents have reported being disturbed by early morning classes, with increased vehicle movements and people gathering outside the studio disrupting what they describe as the peaceful enjoyment of their homes.
One of the most contentious issues has been parking. Neighbours claim that customers’ cars have clogged the narrow residential road, creating safety risks for pedestrians and making it difficult for residents to access their own properties. Critics argue that the site lacks adequate on-site parking for a business operating multiple daily sessions, particularly during peak hours in the morning and evening.
The scale and intensity of activity have also been highlighted as problematic. Opponents say that even if noise from within the studio itself is minimal, the cumulative impact of arriving and departing clients, car doors closing, engines starting, conversations outside, and customers consuming food and drink creates a level of disturbance inappropriate for a predominantly residential area. Concerns have been raised about mental health impacts, with residents stating that constant activity undermines tranquillity and increases stress.
These objections have been formalised through collective action. Numerous residents instructed a local planning consultancy to submit a detailed objection letter to the council opposing Megan Smith’s retrospective planning application. The letter argues that the proposed use represents a significant commercial intensification of the site, incompatible with its residential context. It states that the business would generate levels of traffic and activity that cannot be accommodated safely and would detract from the quiet enjoyment of adjoining properties.
A key element of the dispute is the fact that construction on the outbuilding began in early 2025 without planning permission. Megan is now seeking retrospective approval, a process that often attracts heightened scrutiny because the development is already complete and operational. Neighbours fear that granting permission would set a precedent, allowing similar businesses to operate from residential gardens without adequate safeguards.
However, opposition is not unanimous. Some local residents have publicly expressed support for Luco Wellness, describing it as a positive addition to the area. One neighbour suggested that the studio could provide convenient access to fitness services, while another noted that pilates, yoga, and dance classes already take place in nearby village halls. Supporters argue that the studio offers health benefits and reflects changing lifestyles, particularly as more people seek local, small-group fitness options.
Council Assessment, Planning Arguments, and the Pending Decision
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council now faces the task of balancing these competing perspectives. The planning application is scheduled to be considered by the council’s planning committee on January 12, with officers having already prepared an assessment of the proposal’s likely impacts.
In a planning committee document, council officers concluded that the site benefits from adequate on-site parking and that the limited number of patrons per class would not give rise to highway safety or parking concerns. The assessment notes that the main sources of noise would be vehicles and people talking rather than the pilates sessions themselves. Officers stated that it is unlikely the classes would generate anything more than minimal noise.
To mitigate potential disturbance, the council has proposed conditions restricting activity to inside the studio and requiring windows and doors to remain closed during classes. This approach is intended to address concerns about noise transmission while allowing the business to operate within defined parameters.
Acting on Megan Smith’s behalf, planning consultants have emphasised that loud music will either not be played or will be kept at a very low level. They have also highlighted the property’s history of hosting domestic gatherings, during which the driveway reportedly accommodated up to 12 vehicles. In response to concerns about congestion, the consultants have outlined plans for a one-way in-out system designed to streamline vehicle movements and provide unobstructed parking for up to five guests at a time.
The application frames Luco Wellness as a small-scale, low-impact enterprise rather than a high-traffic commercial gym. By limiting class sizes and the number of weekly sessions, Megan’s team argues that the studio’s operations are proportionate and manageable within a residential context. They also stress that the business contributes to local wellbeing and aligns with broader public health objectives.
Nevertheless, for many residents, the issue extends beyond technical compliance with parking standards or noise thresholds. It touches on deeper questions about land use, community character, and the changing nature of work and entrepreneurship. The rise of influencer-led businesses operating from private homes challenges traditional distinctions between residential and commercial space, particularly in areas not designed for regular customer traffic.
The planning committee’s decision will therefore carry implications beyond this single case. Approval could be seen as endorsement of flexible, home-based wellness enterprises, while refusal may signal a stricter approach to protecting residential amenity. For Megan Smith, the outcome will determine whether Luco Wellness can continue operating in its current form or whether significant changes, relocation, or closure will be required.
As the January 12 meeting approaches, the dispute remains a vivid example of how modern wellness culture, social media-driven entrepreneurship, and local planning frameworks can collide. At its core, the case reflects a tension between individual ambition and collective living, raising questions that many communities may increasingly face as home-based businesses become more ambitious and more visible.
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