Empty factory could be turned into padel centre

A former industrial unit could be transformed into sports courts and a yoga studio, plans submitted to Nottingham City Council show.

The former metal fabrication site in Lenton Lane, next to Clifton Boulevard, has been on the market for almost two years, planning documents state.

A developer now wants to use the 4,200sqm (45,000sq ft) area for eight padel tennis courts, a fitness studio and a cafe, with 58 parking spaces.

A separate application to raise the warehouse roof by 3.5 metres (11.5ft) was approved in 2025.

Padel - a combination of tennis and squash played by teams of two on an enclosed court - has been described by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) as "the fastest-growing sport in the world".

The application states the site is currently occupied by a collection of single-storey industrial units of various heights, framed around a central goods yard, with a two-storey office block to the front.

It adds: "The applicant considers that the need exists for further padel tennis centres in and around Nottingham, which by their very nature require large footprints, most typically found in out-of-centre and industrial/semi-industrial settings."

The site is within a flood zone, but as it replaces an existing building, the council said it only requires a flood evacuation plan.

The application, which is recommended for approval, will be considered on Wednesday.

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