A proposed community sports hub off Whitehill Road will go before councillors; the scheme must pass detailed planning tests and public consultation
Local planners will soon examine a bid to create a community sports hub focused on racket sports on land south of Fort Kinnaird. The scheme, brought forward by Artemis Sport Limited and Amy Lansdown, would convert a roughly three hectare parcel adjacent to the Waverley rail line into a facility centred on tennis and padel, with supporting uses such as a cafe, gym, retail units and parking for both cars and bicycles.
The applicants remain at the pre-application stage, meaning planners and elected members will review high-level ambitions before any formal planning submission.
The proposal has already triggered policy questions because the site forms part of the council’s identified economic land supply.
That designation aims to encourage business and industry at Whitehill rather than leisure uses. The planning report therefore states a detailed planning application will be required because the proposed sports centre does not match the site’s established permitted uses. Developers will be expected to demonstrate how the project aligns with strategic objectives or otherwise show compensating benefits.
What the proposal includes
The plans describe a multi-use complex built around indoor and outdoor courts for tennis and padel, together with ancillary facilities designed to serve both players and the wider community. Proposals detail a cafe and small retail units intended to provide convenience services, a modest gym to support fitness activities and dedicated parking for cars and cycles to support access. The developers have highlighted potential community programming and coaching opportunities as part of the centre’s operation, arguing it would broaden local sport participation and provide new amenities for surrounding neighbourhoods.
Policy tests and council concerns
The council’s report stresses that while the idea may have merit in principle, it must satisfy a number of policy tests before gaining approval. Key among these is proving the development would generate employment and would be compatible with the broader Whitehill site and its permitted uses. Planners will expect evidence that the scheme will not lead to a net detriment to the supply of economic land that the local development plan seeks to protect. As a result, the project team will need to prepare a case showing tangible economic benefits and clear compatibility with the location.
Design, landscaping and environmental issues
Officers have flagged several design and environmental matters requiring detailed consideration. The planning report lists site layout, the siting and appearance of buildings, choice of materials, landscaping, open space, biodiversity measures and sustainability credentials as areas needing careful treatment. Developers are expected to address how the scheme will protect and enhance local habitats and incorporate sustainable design principles. In short, the visual impact and ecological performance of any proposal will be scrutinised alongside practical design choices.
Transport implications and active travel
Transport planning is another focus: the council will examine parking provision, access arrangements and links to walking and cycling networks. The report underlines the need to assess transport impacts and promote active travel where possible, reflecting wider policy aims to reduce car dependency. Proposals will be judged on how they integrate with nearby infrastructure, including connections to public transport, and whether they support safe, convenient access by all likely users.
Consultation, committee review and next steps
Councillors will have a formal opportunity to comment on the plans when they are discussed at an upcoming planning committee meeting next week. The proposals remain at the pre-application stage, and the committee session will provide initial feedback on policy fit and the issues to be addressed in a future detailed submission. Developers have been urged to respond to officer concerns and to prepare the technical studies that will be required with a full application.
Public engagement has already begun: two consultation events have been arranged to introduce the scheme to local residents and stakeholders. The first event took place at Danderhall Community Hub this week, and a second consultation will be held on May 21 at Queen Margaret University. Those sessions are intended to gather local views, explain design ideas and identify potential impacts and mitigation measures ahead of any formal planning application.
