Plan for seven padel courts at retail park

Plans have been submitted for seven new outdoor padel courts to be built at a retail park.

Soul Padel has applied to Sunderland City Council for permission to develop a vacant plot at Peel Retail Park in Washington.

The company said a similar plan for the site had already been previously approved, but they were now reducing the number of courts from nine to seven and allowing space for extra parking.

The site, which is currently a plot of grassland, would also include two shipping containers to be used as a clubhouse, changing rooms and cafe bar.

Planning documents said Soul Padel was an operator specialising in development and management of padel courts across the UK.

"Its mission is to make padel an inclusive and sociable sport, encouraging participation from people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities," the documents said.

Plans show the padel courts would have fabric canopies over a steel structure to protect them from the weather for year-round use.

Soul Padel said it believed the development would "make a valuable contribution to the health and wellbeing of residents" in the area.

It added: "Overall, the proposed development represents a positive and beneficial use of underutilised land, delivering modern, accessible and much-needed sports facilities for the local community."

Sunderland City Council is expected to make a decision in due course.

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