Plans for 32 homes on Thornaby Sports and Leisure Club site

Adderstone Living has applied for planning permission to build 32 homes on the site of the empty Thornaby Sports and Leisure Club on Tedder Avenue, Thornaby. It proposes one to four-bedroom homes on the site of the 1919-founded ‘Nash’ club, described as in a state of disrepair since the closure of the club in September 2024, which was put down to cost pressures and a drop in customers at the time.

The proposed one and two-storey homes are all affordable homes – homes for sale or rent at discounted rates for people whose needs are not met by the private market. They are described by the developer as “approximately 70% social rent and 30% shared ownership or rent to buy”, with enhanced access, footpaths, dropped kerbs, parking, landscaping, and cycle storage, bin stores and electric vehicle charging points for each home.

“The site is a brownfield site in a sustainable location which offers a good opportunity for much-needed affordable residential development,” said planner Niamh McDonald from agent Hedley Planning Services in a planning statement submitted to the council. “There would be no significant harm set out by this development, therefore this development can be considered acceptable in principle.

“Additionally, although the previous use of the existing building and use of the site once provided leisure and social opportunities for residents, it is now disused… Further weight should be given to the provision of affordable housing on this scale as it is often not viable to provide this level of affordable housing.

“The development will retain and seek to enhance the existing ecological and green infrastructure networks on site, whilst providing new multifunctional green assets… The development is well linked to sustainable transport modes and this will be encouraged, but for those using private vehicles, parking spaces have been provided.

“The development is designed to enhance local distinctiveness and takes into account the context of the built environment surrounding the site… The development has been designed to be ‘visually indistinguishable and tenure-blind’, i.e. the same quality and size as market housing and built to a high standard and design and amenity.

“This development is in a highly sustainable location with direct links to Thornaby town centre and the wider area. The location of the development is appropriate to encourage the use of public transport, cycling and walking.”

She added concerns about overshadowing of some gardens were addressed to ensure back gardens got a good amount of sunlight. She also said one corner of the site, next to a “green wedge”, would be used for biodoversity and open space, keeping mature trees with “some limited removal and pruning of poor quality trees”.

She said the development would use “sustainable technologies such as air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels incorporated into house type designs. This will reduce the lifetime carbon costs of the building and increase energy efficiency.”

The developer says it posted flyers to 350 people and businesses in the area and held a consultation event, attended by two people, at Thornaby Pavilion. One questionnaire was completed, said to be in favour of the development, quoted as saying: “It will be nice to see something done with the site as it is a bit of an eyesore.”

A further statement from the agent says: “Given the supportive response and lack of objection, it is considered that the proposed redevelopment of the site is generally supported by the local community. Due to the lack of any objection or concerns, no specific design changes were made as a result of the consultation.

“It is considered that the applicant made all reasonable endeavours to provide the local community with the opportunity to comment on the proposed development.”