Bell Cornwell’s Buckinghamshire team has successfully secured planning permission for the material change of use of part of an existing building from Use Class B8 (Storage and Distribution) to Use Class E(d) (Indoor sport, recreation or fitness) to create a new indoor padel tennis facility, together with associated external alterations.
The approved proposals deliver four indoor padel courts, alongside an ancillary café area, creating a high-quality leisure destination for the local community.
Planning Consent Secured for Indoor Padel Tennis Facility
The Site and Context
The application site comprises part of a subdivided industrial building within an established industrial park located just outside the centre of Chesham. The wider industrial park is designated for Business, General Industrial and Storage and Distribution uses, meaning that the potential loss of employment land was the key material planning consideration and central to determining whether the principle of development could be supported.
Addressing Employment Land Considerations
Justifying the change of use required a robust and carefully evidenced approach. The team advised the client on the preparation of comprehensive marketing evidence to demonstrate that there was no reasonable prospect of the unit being occupied for its lawful employment use. This formed the foundation of the planning case to support the proposed leisure use.
Importantly, the team also demonstrated that the development would maintain, and potentially exceed, employment levels on a like-for-like floorspace basis when compared with the previous lawful use. This was achieved through detailed analysis of the proposed staffing model associated with the padel facility. The Council ultimately agreed that the scheme would not result in an overall loss of employment within the industrial park.
Demonstrating Community Need
A second critical component of the planning strategy was establishing a clear need for indoor sports provision, particularly for padel.
The team worked closely with contacts at the Lawn Tennis Association to obtain a detailed letter of support. This incorporated data based on a 20-minute drive-time population assessment, alongside demand modelling tools and participation data managed by YouGov. The evidence identified a strong and growing local player base and confirmed a deficiency in padel provision across the district and surrounding area. The proposed four-court facility was shown to make a meaningful contribution toward meeting this demand.
Outcome
Planning permission was granted on the strength of the overall planning case, which clearly demonstrated that:
As a result, the development will transform currently vacant units into a vibrant sports destination, supporting both local employment and community health and wellbeing.
Get in Touch
If you are considering a change of use, leisure development, or need to justify the loss of employment land as part of a planning application, our team would be pleased to help. Contact Bell Cornwell to discuss how we can support your project.
Considering a change of use, leisure development, or employment land strategy? Get in touch with Bell Cornwell to discuss how we can support your project .
With Bell Cornwell as your planning partner, you can unlock hidden value and maximise financial returns from your existing properties. Our knowledge of policies and proven track record navigating the system ensures the highest chance of securing planning permission.
