A warehouse could soon become a new indoor sports facility for the community if it gets the green light from Eastleigh Borough Council.

Well-known and long-standing Southampton business, Draper Tools, has submitted a planning application to convert part of its Hursley Road campus into a new sports facility.

The warehouse is toward the rear of the site and covers around 3,000 square metres of space.

Plans include up to six indoor padel tennis courts, gym facilities and fitness studios, as well as changing rooms.

No changes to the building’s external appearance are proposed at this stage.

However, Draper Tools has stated that further applications could follow if additional features such as windows, doors, signage or air-handling equipment are needed.

Founded in 1919, Draper Tools has occupied the Chandler’s Ford site since 1963 and is well-know for being a former sponsor of Southampton FC.

The company has gradually moved much of its storage and distribution operations to a new facility in North Baddesley, meaning it no longer requires as much space in its Hursley Road campus. 

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However, it intends to retain its headquarters, research and development, some storage, and its recently established self-storage business at the Hursley Road location.

In its application, Draper Tools said the new facility would complement its existing operations and offer benefits to the local community.

The application said: "This has presented Draper Tools with an opportunity to consider other uses and business ventures, which would complement their existing businesses and offer to their staff, but also provide a facility that benefits the local community, including local schools and colleges

"The actual operational hours of the proposed facility aren’t yet known, however, it is likely that the facility will open to accommodate users wishing to use the padel courts and gym before and after normal working hours."

Eastleigh Borough Council will consider the application in during its next planning meeting on Friday, August 15.