Plans to transform hangars into padel courts

Two hangars that were once used to develop secret wartime technologies could be turned into padel courts under new plans.

The hangars, at the Aerodrome in Watnall Road, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, were first built in 1916 and used by the RAF and Rolls-Royce for the development of new and experimental aircraft technologies.

The site is now used by events firm Mellors Group Ltd for storage.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said the company had submitted plans to Ashfield District Council to transform hangars one and two into an eight-court facility for padel, which is a combination of tennis and squash.

The LDRS said the Grade II listed building was also used during and after World War One for work that was "secret" at the time.

This work is now known to have included the development of the Merlin engine and the world's first piloted vertical take-off jet powered aircraft, colloquially known as the Flying Bedstead.

Other developments included the world's first turboprop engine, the world's first flight of a commercial jet-airliner, and the world's first reverse thrust jet engine, the LDRS added.

In 1971, the airfield was closed but Rolls-Royce continued to test engines nearby until 2008.

"At full use, the facility would accommodate up to 32 players on court at any one time. The site will operate primarily during core weekday daytime hours of 9:00 to 17:00 GMT," planning documents said.

Mellors Group said the plans would complement ongoing efforts to "re-purpose and revitalise distinctive heritage environment", and also provide amenity facilities for the growing residential developments in and around Hucknall.

The development would further provide 39 marked car parking spaces within the existing parking area to the west of the hangars, as well as cycle storage space.

"Converting this underused historic building to an indoor sports venue would provide active community uses to the local residents, schools and community groups and improve the character of the currently mainly industrial area," documents added.

"The proposal is to retain the building in its current form and make repairs to the existing roof, corroded and damaged metal doors, and crumbling render finishes and paintwork.

"The great metal hangar doors will be repaired and fixed in place in an open position. The openings created by the opened great doors will be enclosed behind by a new mesh facade."

As well as eight padel courts, documents said new single-storey internal partitions would be erected to create changing rooms and toilets.

The documents added staff and storage areas, along with a staircase leading to a mezzanine viewing platform and seating area, would be located within the main hangar.

Plans will be reviewed by the council for future determination.

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