AN INDOOR trampoline centre at Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park could be stopped in its tracks because it may harm town centre trade.

Gravity Force wants to convert an industrial unit in Festival Way to include a jumping area, a foam pit and an area for sports, such as dodgeball and volleyball.

But Basildon Council planning officers have argued the centre would “prejudice the vitality and viability of the borough’s town centres”.

Another trampoline park, Dropzone, opened at the former town centre Robins Cinema, in North Gunnels, in March.

In a report which will be considered by councillors next week, planning officers have recommended the Festival Way application, submitted by Gravity Force, is rejected.

It argued Dropzone had benefited the town centre economy by opening in a unit which had been empty for several years.

The report said: “While competition in itself cannot be a material consideration, the proposed use by Gravity Force would be on a larger scale than Dropzone and be likely to appeal to its younger customers, potentially reducing the viability of that business.”

If approved, the Gravity Force park could open from 10am to 10pm weekdays, 9am to 11pm weekends, and employ as many as 30 staff.

The revamped site would include 47 parking spaces, but objectors to the application argued this would be insufficient at busy times.

The applicant already operates a site in Camberley, Surrey, which opened last year in a disused warehouse.

Speaking when the Gravity Force application was lodged, Basildon Council leader Phil Turner was cautious about development plans at Festival Leisure Park.

He said: “The town centre is every bit as viable as Festival Leisure Park, but we don’t want to kill one in favour of the other.

“Going head-to-head is great for competition, but it would be nice if we can work out the offering at each site and what benefits residents.”

Councillors will rule on the trampoline park application at a planning committee meeting next Tuesday.