A former industrial site on Lenton Lane in Nottingham could be converted into a padel tennis and fitness centre if plans recommended for approval by city planners are agreed later this month.
The proposal relates to a collection of single-storey industrial units with a two-storey office block on the eastern side of Lenton Lane, within the Riverside and Lenton Lane industrial estate. The site sits between Tile Mountain to the south, the Gray Paul Ferrari dealership to the north and other commercial units to the east.
An application has been submitted by Christopher Waumsley on behalf of Meadow Lane Services Ltd seeking permission to change the use of the site from industrial use (class B2) to a sports and recreation facility (class E(d)). The plans would create a padel tennis centre including eight courts, one of which would be outdoors, alongside a yoga and pilates studio and a clubroom with café facilities.
The application will be considered by Nottingham City Council’s Planning Committee on 18 March after being referred to councillors because it represents a departure from adopted Local Plan policies governing the industrial estate.
The existing buildings are arranged around a central goods yard and were most recently used by a metal fabrication business. According to the planning report, the development would retain the existing car park at the front of the site and provide additional parking in the courtyard area, giving a total of 58 car parking spaces including four disabled bays, as well as cycle parking.
The proposal is supported by a planning statement, a sequential and impact assessment and marketing information relating to the padel operator Hudel. Planning officers note that permission granted in 2025 to raise part of the warehouse roof by 3.5 metres is currently being implemented on the site.
Consultation on the application included letters to four neighbouring properties and a site notice, with no representations received. Technical consultees including the Environment Agency, the council’s biodiversity officer, highways officers and the Lead Local Flood Authority have raised no objections, subject to conditions.
Highways officers have advised that the change of use from industrial premises to a sports and recreation facility is not expected to have a detrimental impact on the surrounding highway network.
The site lies within Flood Zone 2 and within an established industrial area identified in Local Plan mapping. Planning policy officers have confirmed they have no objection to the scheme following the submission of further supporting information, again subject to conditions.
National planning policy encourages sustainable development and supports proposals that promote health and wellbeing, create accessible places and make effective use of land. The council’s planning report also refers to policies in the Greater Nottingham Aligned Core Strategy, which aims to strengthen and diversify the local economy while ensuring development is well designed and supports local communities.
Planning officers have recommended that councillors grant planning permission subject to conditions, with authority delegated to the Director of Planning and Transport to finalise the details. If approved, the decision would allow the industrial premises to be converted into a leisure facility providing indoor and outdoor sports courts and associated fitness space.
