SPORTSWEAR giant JD Sports plans to open a new gym in Barnsley as part of its expansion into large format health clubs.

Planning permission was granted last year to turn the former MFI store on Twibell Street into a trampoline park, but the operator pulled out due to the opening of the rival Jump One trampoline park at Barugh Green.

Owner of the former MFI site, The Peel Group, has this week applied for the lifting of restrictions in the planning permission, allowing the opening of a gym instead of a trampoline park.