Indoor padel sports centre at Denis Ferranti Meters Ltd, Bangor

What is proposed

The application would convert an industrial unit into a sports centre with padel and pickleball courts, supporting facilities, 36 parking spaces and daily opening.

“Proposal: Change of use of a current industrial unit (B2 Use Class) into an indoor padel sports centre (D2 Use Class) and associated work…”

“Description: This is an application to convert the former Denis Feranti factory in Bangor into an indoor padel play facility. The application involves changing the use of the unit, known as Unit F of the site, into a padel sports centre, including 8 padel courts, 2 pickleball courts, a warm-up zone, a reception and toilets, as well as a facility to park bikes.”

Officer report

The site

The warehouse lies within a wider estate, outside the city centre and main shopping area, with residential and commercial uses nearby and flood risk identified.

“The Flood Map for Planning indicates that the site is located within Flood Zone 3 (Rivers and Surface Water) associated with the Afon Adda that runs through a nearby culvert. The estate is surrounded by a mixture of residential and commercial uses whilst the application site itself is located within an existing unit, with the estate directly continuing to the north and the south.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would reuse an existing building, provide community and employment benefits, and manage potential harm through conditions.

“Given the above, it is believed, by redeveloping an existing building for the purpose of the community that will also provide employment opportunities, this proposal is consistent with the objectives of Policy ISA 2 as it attempts to protect and improve community facilities.”

“Conclusions: Based on the assessment above and given all the relevant planning matters, it is not considered that the proposal is contrary to the national and local guidelines and policies noted within the assessment and any potential harmful impact could be managed through relevant conditions.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Transportation raised no objection, Natural Resources Wales had no objection subject to flood measures, and Public Protection continued to raise noise concerns.

“It is necessary to evaluate this noise over an appropriate time period, the closure after 23:00 hrs would bring this noise withing night time levels (23:00 – 07:00hrs), when an increased degree of noise protection should be expected. The applicant is advised to include this assessment or consider mitigating this by reducing operational hours so that the night time is not compromised.”

“Public Holidays or outside the hours of 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays Propose conditions to control noise levels, external lighting and monitoring in case there is contaminated land on the site Welsh Water Request a condition for the protection of the public sewer and standard guidance for the applicant Natural Resources Wales No objection The application proposes to change the use to a use that is less open to harm as defined in Technical…”

Officer report

Residents’ concerns

A public consultation objection concerned noise affecting nearby residents, activities and transport, particularly late at night.

“The advertising period for the planning application has ended and the objection below was received in response to the public consultation process: • Concern about the noise impact on the amenities of nearby residents, the activities, and the transport produced, especially noise late at night.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s agent supported the scheme, while the Local Member raised concerns about asbestos in the building.

Committee discussion

Members welcomed the facility, discussed local demand and Welsh-language protection, and noted the lack of a response from Bangor City Council.

“In response to a question whether there were similar nearby enterprises and concern regarding an excess of this type of facility, it was noted that there was no specific information about the provision, but an investment in Bangor was evidence that there was demand for it.”

Minutes

Final decision

The committee approved the change of use subject to conditions covering the plans, permitted use, flooding, hours, noise, management, green infrastructure and bilingual signs.

“To approve the application subject to material planning conditions relating to: Time 2. Compliance with the plans 3. Permitted use of the unit as a Pickleball / Padel Sports Centre only and not for any other purpose 4. The flood mitigation measures recommended in parts 7.29 – 7.34 of the Planning Statement must be followed. Opening Hours: 07:00 to 23:00 daily 6.”

“…anticipated levels in Table 10 of the NIA. Within 3 months of the site becoming operational, a noise survey shall be undertaken by a suitably qualified acoustic adviser, in accordance with the NIA, and a report submitted to the Local Planning Authority and approved by them in writing.”

Minutes