Plans announced for city's 'first padel centre'

Plans to create a new padel and pickleball centre, which developers said would be the first in Leicester, have been submitted.

The new facility would be housed in three warehouse units in Barkby Road and would include two double and one singles padel court, alongside a doubles pickleball court.

Planning documents submitted to Leicester City Council state the site would "broaden the range of sports facilities that are available in Leicester".

The application will now be reviewed by council officers before a decision is made.

The applicant, ZAS-PPL-110, said that padel is "one of the fastest-growing sports in Britain".

However, it said there are currently no publicly accessible indoor or outdoor padel facilities in Leicester.

"As such, the scheme has the potential to increase participation in sport across the city and will make a positive contribution towards supporting residents' health and wellbeing," the applicant added.

The site will comprised 7,387 sq m (79,513 sq ft) of self-contained warehouse space and will feature changing rooms, a cafe and chill-out zones, as well as offices.

Follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.