Top of car park set to become pickleball courts

9 hours ago

Aled ThomasLocal Democracy Reporting Service

LDRS An artwork of four people playing pickleball on a blue court with tall flood lights and barriers around the edge. — Artwork for the sporting venue was included with the planning application

Pickleball enthusiasts could soon be able to play the paddle sport on the top floor of a multi-storey car park, as plans for part of a town's regeneration get the go-ahead.

Swindon Borough Council's proposal - to transform the top floor of the underused Brunel North car park in Farnsby Street - has been approved by its own planning department.

Eight pickleball courts will be painted onto the surface of the southern half of the car park, with a thick curtain barrier installed to stop any plastic balls falling down to the streets below.

The floor beneath, level four, is set to be used for community initiatives, such as concerts or exhibitions.

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According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, plans also include seating and a canopy cover, with additional lighting in place to allow for play after dark.

The council's application states: "The intention is to transform the spaces into an exciting sport and community destination for the town centre."

LDRS The entrance of the Brunel North car park in Swindon with a large sign displaying parking charges, a 10 mph road sign and a maximum headroom grid above it. — The council says parts of the Brunel North car park are underused

Finding alternative uses for underused car park floors is part of Swindon's wider regeneration.

Permission has already been granted for the top two floors of the Whalebridge Car Park in the town centre to be used as a roller skating and skateboarding rink.

The council also has an active application to transform the top two stories of the Brunel West car park into a filming location.

Pickleball is growing in popularity as a racquet sport in England, with a recent tournament taking place in Wiltshire.

In March, hundreds gathered at the Swindon Pickleball Spring 2026 Festival, with people travelling from as far as Australia and Hong Kong.

Euclid Street planners, who approved the change of use for the top two floors of the car park, said:

"The development is consistent with national and local planning policy, would not give rise to unacceptable impacts on amenity, highways or the environment, and supports the ongoing regeneration and diversification of Swindon Town Centre."