Plans to turn recycling centre into sports hub

A former recycling centre could be turned into a sports hub, new plans have revealed.

The Swanton Road recycling centre in Mile Cross, previously the main one used by people in Norwich, shut down in 2021.

It was temporarily repurposed by a local charity for collections and donations but has been empty for more than a year.

Proposals by Rackets Hub Ltd involve refurbishing and repurposing the existing building into a venue that would include padel, badminton and tennis courts.

The new proposals also include the creation of a viewing area, refreshments area, toilet and changing facilities.

There are 19 recycling sites left across Norfolk following the closure of the Mile Cross tip in 2021, which was replaced by the new Norwich North centre at a cost of £2.75m.

The Benjamin Foundation, a charity which supports children, young people and families facing difficulties, took over the site in Swanton Road in the summer of 2022.

People had been able to take items such as furniture, televisions, children's toys, books, bric-a-brac, sports equipment and electrical items to the centre.

It took in more than 10,000 donations, with more than 100 tonnes of items reused as a result, before closing.

Rackets Hub Ltd had previously been granted permission by the council to open a similar venue at Kirkham House in Whiffler Road but said it had "abandoned" plans for that site.

The application will be considered by Norwich City Council in due course.

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