Monday April 20th 2026
New sports centre is proposed off Whitehill Road, south of Fort Kinnaird
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Plans for a new sports centre for tennis fans will be given a first look by Midlothian councillors next week.
The proposals by Artemis Sport Limited and Amy Lansdown will see a community tennis and padel centre built off Whitehill Road, on land south of Fort Kinnaird.
As well as offering a cafe, gym and shops the centre will have parking for cars and bicycles.
A report on the proposals for the three hectare site, which sits next to the Waverley rail line, says the plans are not in line with the council’s own development plan which aims to create business and industry on the land.
It says: “The site is identified as comprising part of the council’s established economic land supply.
“The proposed development of a tennis and padel center does not fall into the established uses for the site and therefore a detailed planning application will be required.”
The report goes on to say that while there could be support in principle for the sports centre it will have to apply for detailed planning permission and prove it “would generate employment, would be compatible with the wider Whitehill site and permitted uses, and would not result in a net detriment to the supply of economic land”.
It adds: “While there could be support for the principle of development on the site, detailed consideration will also have to be given to design matters, in particular the site layout, the siting, design and appearance of buildings and other structures, the materials used, landscaping, open space, parking, biodiversity and sustainability.
“It will also be necessary to give careful consideration to transport and active travel arrangements.”
Councillors will be given a chance to comment on the proposals which are still in the pre application stage at a planning committee meeting next week.
Two public events to promote the plans have been organised with the first on Wednesday this week at Danderhall Community Hub. A second consultation event will be held on May 21 at Queen Margaret University.
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