Padel and pickleball courts proposed beside Airborne Place in Edinburgh
A multi-use games area east of Airborne Place could be redeveloped with three padel courts, two pickleball courts, container-based clubhouse and changing facilities, and court lighting.
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A sports pitch east of Airborne Place in Edinburgh could be reshaped into a new racquet-sports facility under a planning application now with the City of Edinburgh Council.
The proposal would redevelop an existing multi-use games area, or MUGA, on land about 60 metres east of 2 Airborne Place. The scheme includes three padel courts, two pickleball courts, a container-unit clubhouse, a separate container-unit toilet and changing block, padel court lighting and associated works.
The application is notable because it would change an existing outdoor games area into a more specialised leisure destination. It also reflects the fast-growing local demand for padel and pickleball, two court sports that have expanded quickly across the UK in recent years.
What is proposed
The application seeks permission for the redevelopment of the MUGA pitch to create a dedicated racquet-sports facility.
The main elements are:
- three padel courts;
- two pickleball courts;
- a container-unit clubhouse;
- a container-unit toilet and changing block;
- padel court lighting;
- associated works around the courts and facilities.
Padel is normally played on an enclosed court with solid walls or glazed sides, while pickleball is played on a smaller marked court using paddles and a perforated ball. Both sports are generally easier to take up than traditional tennis and are often marketed as social, accessible activities for mixed ages and abilities.
For nearby residents and users of the existing pitch, the most visible changes would likely be the replacement or remodelling of the current MUGA layout, the introduction of dedicated court structures, and the addition of container-style support buildings.
Where the site is
The site is described in the planning application as land 60 metres east of 2 Airborne Place, Edinburgh.
Airborne Place sits in the west of the city, in an area with a mix of housing, roads, open spaces and local facilities. The application location is not a conventional street-front shop or indoor leisure unit; it is an outdoor sports site, which means the planning issues are likely to centre on how the new courts, lighting, buildings and use of the space would fit into the surrounding area.
The current site is identified as a MUGA pitch. MUGAs are designed for flexible community sport and casual recreation, often supporting several activities on one marked hard-surface area. The proposal would move the site toward more defined court-based uses.
Why it matters locally
This is a relatively small planning application compared with a housing estate or major commercial scheme, but it could make a noticeable difference on the ground.
For players, the proposal could add dedicated padel and pickleball courts in a part of Edinburgh where new sports facilities can attract both regular users and first-time participants. Padel in particular has seen rising demand, with courts often booked for social doubles games, coaching and club sessions.
For neighbours, the important points are more practical: how the courts would be used, how lighting would appear after dark, what activity the clubhouse and changing block would bring, and how people would access the site. The application description confirms lighting for the padel courts, making the visual impact and evening use of the facility likely to be among the details residents may look for in the plans.
The use of container units is also a visible design choice. Containers can provide relatively quick, modular accommodation for a clubhouse, toilets and changing space, but their appearance, siting and screening are often important in outdoor leisure settings.
A shift from general play space to dedicated courts
The key planning story is the change in how the MUGA would function.
A MUGA is usually a shared surface for different sports, informal play and flexible bookings. Three padel courts and two pickleball courts would create a more structured sports offer, with clearly defined spaces and supporting facilities.
That may broaden access to sports that are currently less widely available than football, basketball or tennis. It may also reduce the flexibility of the existing pitch if it is currently used for a wider range of activities. The balance between specialist provision and general public recreation is likely to be one of the questions local people consider when reviewing the plans.
Lighting and evening use
Court lighting is often one of the most closely watched parts of outdoor sports proposals. It can extend playing hours and make facilities more usable through autumn and winter, but it can also affect neighbouring properties and the character of nearby open space.
The application specifically includes padel court lighting. Residents who want to understand the likely effect should look at the drawings and any lighting information on the council portal, including the position, height and direction of any proposed lights where those details are shown.
What happens next
The application is currently listed by the City of Edinburgh Council as awaiting assessment. No decision has been published.
People who want to follow the case can search the council’s planning portal using the site address or the reference number. Plans and documents can be viewed through the portal, and the council’s planning pages explain how comments on applications can be submitted.
The planning reference is 26/02504/FUL. The address is Land 60 Metres East Of 2 Airborne Place, Edinburgh.
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