Plans have been submitted to turn an empty warehouse in Northallerton into a six-court indoor padel centre, complete with a café, fitness facilities and hot and cold therapy rooms.
The proposals would see the former North Yorkshire Timber Company depot at Standard House, on Northallerton Business Park, converted into a major new leisure facility.
The development would feature four doubles courts and two singles courts, along with a café, lounges, sports shop and private hire space.
A first-floor area would include a physiotherapy studio, hot and cold therapy rooms, another studio and a viewing gallery overlooking the courts.
Padel, which combines elements of tennis and squash, is played on an enclosed court approximately one-third the size of a traditional tennis court.
According to supporting documents submitted with the application, there are currently no padel facilities in Northallerton, with the nearest courts in Leeming Bar and Darlington.
The applicant is in discussions with franchise operator Vida Del Padel, which was established in 2024 and aims to create community-focused padel venues inspired by Mediterranean sporting culture.
The proposed centre would not generally require membership, with players instead booking courts through a mobile app.
The six courts would accommodate up to 20 players at any one time.
The scheme would involve converting the existing 2,306 sq m warehouse, including the partial removal of a mezzanine floor.
Parking would be increased from 32 to 47 spaces, including four electric vehicle charging bays and three disabled spaces.
Cycle parking would also be provided.
Planning consultants ELG Planning say the development would bring a vacant commercial building back into use, create employment opportunities and provide new sporting facilities for local residents.
However, the site lies within an area designated as a key employment location under the adopted Hambleton Local Plan, which seeks to protect industrial and commercial premises.
The applicant argues that the loss of one warehouse would have a negligible impact on the overall supply of employment space and that large industrial buildings are particularly suited to indoor padel because of their height and floor space.
The planning statement says: “The proposals will secure the delivery of new indoor sports facilities through the re-use of an existing building to the northern edge of Northallerton.”
It adds that the development would encourage physical activity, improve opportunities for social interaction and reduce the need for residents to travel outside the town to play padel.
According to the applicant, the council previously indicated during pre-application discussions that the principle of converting the building was acceptable.
The application is being considered by North Yorkshire Council.
The North Yorkshire Timber Company depot shut last year after its parent company went into administration.
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