Plans unveiled for new padel court centre on the outskirts of Sunderland
Plans for a new padel centre on the outskirts of Sunderland have been submitted to council development bosses.
Sunderland City Council’s planning department has received an application for a parcel of land off Cygnet Way at Rainton Bridge Business Park, near Houghton-le-Spring.
Applicant Malik Group Holdings is seeking permission for a new base for padel, a booming racquet sport played with specialist equipment in enclosed courts, where walls can be used in play.
Developers are eyeing up a section of the surface car park at the Rainton House office complex for a new sports facility with padel courts, changing rooms, a “pro shop” and a café/bar.
Plans are seeking permission for six padel courts, including four covered courts housed beneath “permanent dome canopy structures” and two open-air external courts.
A proposed pavilion building is also described in planning documents as "the social and operational heart of the development" and developers said it would be "intentionally modest in scale relative to the wider office campus”
A submitted planning application also states the development would create 17 jobs, namely 10 full-time positions and seven part-time roles.
A design and access statement submitted to council officials notes the proposal would “deliver a high-quality recreational destination that promotes health and wellbeing, diversifies the amenity offer at Rainton House and makes efficient and sustainable use of underutilised previously developed land”.
It added the development is “considered to represent sustainable development in planning terms, delivering social, economic and environmental benefits”.
Planning documents acknowledge that the development ,if approved, would lead to a loss of around 130 parking spaces from the site, leaving around 734 spaces retained.
The design and access statement adds: "The proposal delivers a broad range of planning benefits.
"It provides high-quality new sports provision that supports health and wellbeing, enhances the amenity offer at Rainton House and introduces a valuable new recreational destination within the business park.
"It makes productive use of underutilised brownfield land, including surplus parking land that is no longer required to meet historic demand assumptions.
"It supports economic investment and diversification while delivering sustainable leisure development in an accessible location.
"The scheme also introduces entirely new community-focused sporting infrastructure and aligns strongly with national, local and Sport England policy objectives."
A decision on the plan is expected following a council consultation.