A FORMER Kinmel Bay industrial unit will be transformed into a padel tennis centre after plans were agreed by Conwy County Council’s planning committee this week.
Councillors met at the authority’s Coed Pella HQ to debate a change of use for a warehouse at Unit 1, Branwen, Tir Llwyd Industrial Estate.
Applicant Zak Hughes was given the green light to convert the building after officers advised the committee to grant the application.
Cllr Alan Hunter said: “I think this is quite an exciting development.”
He joked: “Padel tennis, is that like normal tennis but in a flood zone?”
Cllr Hunter then proposed councillors went with the recommendation.
This was seconded by Cllr David Carr before being voted through.
Cllr Nia Owen added: “Gwynedd Council has approved an application (for a similar padel tennis centre), and it is one of the sports that is growing, and it is a brilliant facility in Conwy as well, one in the east and one in the west, so I think it is a very good application, a new leisure facility for people to take part in.”
Padel tennis is a racquet sport blending tennis, squash, and badminton but played on a smaller court.
The new centre will feature four padel courts installed inside part of the existing warehouse building.
The plans also include a gym, cardio room, two saunas, and changing facilities, while a mezzanine floor would house a coffee shop and a viewing area overlooking the courts.
The centre is proposed to open between 6am and 10pm, seven days a week, creating four full-time and two part-time jobs.
