Huge Leeds warehouse transformation approved with padel courts, Pilates and bar
New Leeds padel venue approved near St James’s Hospital as jobs set to be created
The conversion of a warehouse into a racket sport and pilates facility has been approved by council planners.
Indoor padel courts will be created at a former industrial site at Dolly Lane in Burmantofts.
A pilates studio and bar are also part of plans for the vacant unit in the east Leeds suburb.
Jobs are set to be created after Leeds City Council have planning permission for the scheme near St James’s University Hospital.
One letter of objection and one in support of the proposal was received, the council said.
The objector raised road safety concerns and a “lack of affordable parking for hospital staff. This will make the situation worse.”
But a council planning officer’s report said: “The site occupies a sustainable location with good connectivity to the wider highway network and public transport services.
“Vehicle tracking demonstrates that vehicles can safely enter, pass and manoeuvre within the site, including refuse vehicles and those requiring access to the substation.”
A design report by CPW Planning said the development would help meet a growing need for padel facilities.
It said: “The proposed change of use will generate new employment opportunities and bring vacant premises back into economic use, thereby maximising the site’s contribution to the local economy.
“Based on key findings from the UK Padel Report 2025 , the number of UK padel courts increased from fewer than 40 in 2016 to 710 by the end of 2024.”
Full planning permission was given in a decision notice issued on September 3.