New padel centre plans approved for Rainton Bridge Business Park

Sunderland City Council’s planning department has approved plans for six padel courts in part of the car park at the Rainton House office complex, in Rainton Bridge Business Park.

Applicant Malik Group Holdings applied for permission earlier this year to set up a base for the popular racket sport, which is played with specialist equipment in enclosed courts, with the walls also used in play.

Proposals included a new sports facility with six padel courts, including four covered courts housed beneath canopy structures and two open-air external courts, as well as changing rooms, a pro shop and a café/bar.

A planning application added the development would create 17 jobs, with 10 full-time positions and seven part-time roles.

Sunderland City Council’s planning department approved the application on October 30, 2026, meaning work can now start.

One issue considered by council officers included the plans introducing a sports use in a “primary employment area”, which typically safeguards land for offices, general industrial and storage and distribution uses.

Council planners said the padel facility could be introduced without removing existing office accommodation and would “provide an additional amenity for businesses and employees within the surrounding employment area”.

It was argued the proposals were “compatible with the established character and function of the primary employment area”.

In response to a request from council officers, amended plans were also submitted providing 30 on-site parking spaces.

A council report added: “It is also the case that in terms of comings and goings, the site would largely operate as it has done in the past.

“It would not be considered that this would make the use incompatible with the established character and function of the primary employment area.”

The applicants had previously said the padel centre would deliver a “high-quality recreational destination that promotes health and wellbeing” and make better use of “underutilised previously developed land”.

Under planning conditions, the development must start within three years.

For more information, visit Sunderland City Council’s planning portal website and search for reference 26/00985/FUL.

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