Wednesday June 24th 2026
Visualisation of sports facility
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Paul Kelly
Exciting plans for a major new sports complex in the Scottish Borders have been revealed.
The proposed development would bring a vacant former builder’s yard at Larchbank Street on the Netherdale Industrial Estate in Galashiels back into active and productive use, delivering a modern covered four court padel tennis facility within an area already associated with sport, leisure, health and well-being uses.
The facility would be operated by Live Borders and integrated with the existing TriFitness gym directly opposite the site, allowing users to access established changing, shower and sanitary facilities if required.
The courts would be constructed to Lawn Tennis Association specifications and would operate through an automated pay-to-play system, providing a managed and accessible recreational facility for the local community.
The applicant, Waukrigg Development Company Limited, is an established property developer and landlord with over 40 years of active involvement in the Borders commercial property market.
A report with a planning submission to Scottish Borders Council, from Aitken Turnbull Architects, states: “The submitted marketing evidence demonstrates that there has been no substantive interest from industrial or business operators despite formal marketing, cross-marketing and the applicant’s own direct exposure to the local commercial property market.
“The only meaningful interest has come from leisure operators, including Live Borders, which reflects both the changing character of Netherdale and the site’s suitability for the proposed use.
“In this context, the proposed change of use is considered to be justified. It would not undermine the practical availability of business and industrial land locally, but would instead secure the beneficial redevelopment of a long-vacant and degraded site for a use that delivers clear community, health, well-being and regeneration benefits.”
The site would comprise of four covered padel courts, together with associated access, parking, cycle parking, seating, landscaping, lighting, bin storage and ancillary operational areas.
The report adds: “Overall, the proposal would result in a significant visual improvement when compared with the current vacant former builder’s yard. It would replace an underused site with a coherent, landscaped and professionally managed sports facility.”
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