PLANS have been unveiled to turn a unit into a business offering people the use of flotation tanks and martial arts training.

Floatation Therapy Essex Ltd has submitted the bid to Colchester Council for a unit on the Angora Business Park in Peartree Road, Stanway.

The application is asking for permission to change the use of the building from A1 shopping to D2 for assembly and leisure.

The firm wants to create a space for flotation tanks for customers to use.

Flotation tanks are dark, soundproof pods in which people float in warm water for up to hours at a time.

Another space in the unit would be used for private mixed martial arts classes.

The application said: “No external changes are proposed as part of this application, internal alterations would include the provision of stud walls to form individual rooms for the floatation tanks and the extending of the existing mezzanine floor to provide a mixed martial arts training area.

“The classes are run by qualified instructors and the lessons are age and ability specific.

“The use would operate between 6am and 8pm daily. The site would create approximately two full-time jobs consisting of reception and office staff, instructors and assistants and cleaners.

“Mixed martial arts classes would typically be private one-on-one sessions whilst the floatation tanks supply an area for a further three customers at the same time.”

The applicant said they had chosen the business park due to the number of people living in close proximity.

It added: “Stanway is also attractive because of the amount of new housing being built.

“This means that a site nearby would offer clients the option to walk to the site and not driving.”

Colchester Council will have the final say on the plans.