Padel court plan for industrial unit dismissed
BBCPlans to convert an industrial unit into an indoor padel sports centre have been dismissed at appeal.
The Planning Inspectorate threw out an appeal against Sunderland City Council's refusal of a seven-court facility within the Stephenson Industrial Estate in Washington.
The council's planning department refused the scheme in March after raising concerns about the loss of an industrial unit.
Developers challenged the refusal by lodging an appeal with the Secretary of State and a planning inspector was appointed to rule on the matter.
In a decision published in July 2026, the inspector dismissed the appeal, the Local Democracy Reporting service said.
The applicant said the development would have brought recreational benefits to a "underutilised unit" and create up to 15 jobs.
However, the then Labour-led council's planning department refused it saying it was "safeguarding" land for industry, described as "essential to the long-term success of Sunderland".
One of the main issues considered was "whether exceptional circumstances exist to justify the loss of safeguarded employment land".
"I do not find that the benefits advanced by the appellant are sufficient to outweigh the identified conflict with the development plan, or to otherwise justify a departure from its provisions," the planning inspector said.