Six new padel courts set to open in Leeds as plans for sports centre approved

Padel courts will be created in a converted Leeds warehouse after plans were approved by the city council.

The fast-growing racket sport will be enjoyed at a new sports centre on Carr Crofts Drive in Armley after planning permission was given.

Power Padel Group Ltd applied to Leeds City Council to convert a vacant building at the industrial site.

Six padel courts are set to be open from 6am-11pm daily as part of the project, which includes a cafe-bar area, rooftop solar panels and car parking spaces.

Some 12 jobs are expected to be created at the centre, around one-and-a-half miles from Armley gyratory and the city centre.

A council planning report said: “The proposal would bring a vacant industrial unit back into productive use, providing a new indoor sports and leisure facility that would support health and well-being, create employment opportunities, and secure investment in an existing building.

“The development would retain economic activity on the site and incorporates measures to promote sustainable travel, accessibility and renewable energy generation.”

The council said a noise impact assessment found people living nearby would not be disturbed.

It said: “The proposed indoor courts would operate between 6am and 11pm.

“The site is located within an established industrial estate and is separated from the nearest residential properties by substantial intervening distances and the railway corridor.”

Power Padel said there was a growing need for courts to meet demand for the sport in the area.

The company’s design report said: “The new facility will be a fantastic addition to the area providing Leeds residents with an excellent facility to enjoy this fast growing and increasingly popular sport.

“Its last use was as a shop fitting manufacturing, storage and distribution facility.”

The report said the site was close to public transport links and bicycle storage spaces were already provided.