Victorian Sunday school to become padel court

A Grade II-listed 19th Century Sunday school is to be turned into an indoor padel court after Calderdale Council granted permission to transform the building in Sowerby Bridge.

Planners approved the plans to internally alter and change the use of the building, which was formerly Bolton Brow Sunday School and Bolton Brow Gallery.

A racket sport originating in Mexico which combines elements of tennis and squash, padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK.

In the plans, owners said they would take a "conservation-led approach" to remove an "intrusive" 1995 mezzanine and preserve all historic features.

Applicant Chris Hasling said: "The intention is to secure a sensitive, viable new use for the building that preserves its special architectural and historic interest and supports long-term conservation."

No alterations have been proposed to the building's external appearance, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Hasling previously said installing a padel court would provide a viable, income-generating use to support ongoing maintenance of the building.

He added it would ensure continued public engagement with the heritage asset and prevent deterioration by securing long-term occupation – aligning with Historic England's emphasis on active reuse as central to conservation.

The Sunday school building was designed by C. F. L. Horsfall and built in 1882–83. It was listed by Historic England in 1996.

Earlier this month an application was approved for four padel courts at an industrial unit in Elland.

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