They have also been met with local community support. The organisations have now written collectively to East Lothian councillors calling on them to give the plans the green light. 

NFU Scotland, Tennis Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Agritourism, RSABI (founded as the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution) and the Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs, alongside local businesses and neighbouring landowners are among the organisations. 

The proposals, being progressed by a fourth-generation East Lothian farming family, WM Logan, would deliver two indoor padel courts and a fitness space alongside the existing farm steading.

Back in May this year, East Lothian Council officers rejected a planning application under delegated powers. The application has now been appealed to the Council’s Local Review Body.

The group of organisations and businesses, includes:

• Archerfield Walled Garden
• Border Padel Co, Melrose and Kelso
• Caz’s Kiddies In The Country, Athelstaneford - Athelstaneford village nursery
• CrossFit Haddington, Macmerry
• Gilmerton Estate - landowner
• J. Haig Hamilton & Sons – neighbouring landowner
• NFU Scotland
• Paul McLennan MSP
• RSABI (founded as the Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution)
• Scottish Agritourism
• Scottish Land & Estates
• Tennis Scotland
• Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs and East Lothian Young Farmers

The organisations have said that they all believe the proposal represents “exactly the kind of responsible rural diversification and positive community investment that East Lothian should encourage”.

Neighbouring planning authority, Scottish Borders Council, believes that padel is a suitable rural business diversification, having issued consent for plans for two padel courts at Wellrig Farm near Melrose in August this year and at Cliftonhill Farm, Ednam, outside Kelso in May 2026 this year. The Border Padel Co, who are undertaking these, are also signatories to the letter. 

Supporters have stressed that local padel facilities would reduce the need for East Lothian residents to go to Edinburgh to play the sport.

A survey undertaken by the applicant brought in over 700 responses, with respondents being in favour of access to a local padel facility and recognising its possible health, wellbeing, community and economic advantages. 

The joint letter said: “If we want rural communities to thrive and people to have access to services and recreation closer to home, we must allow appropriate rural businesses to adapt and diversify.

“This proposal does that while retaining the overwhelming majority of the land in agricultural production and placing the new building alongside the existing farm steading.”

The letter continued: “Access to recreational opportunities is especially important in rural areas. 

“Developments such as this encourage regular activity and social connection and can meaningfully improve quality of life, supporting physical fitness and mental wellbeing for the farming community and the wider local population over the long term.
 
“In our view, refusing this application would mean losing a significant opportunity to support rural enterprise, healthier communities and local investment for very limited impact.”

A spokesperson for Athelstaneford Mains Farm commented: “We greatly welcome the support we have received from organisations and businesses across farming, rural enterprise, sport, tourism and the local community.
 
“The facility would occupy just 0.11 per cent of our farming operation, with the overwhelming majority of the land remaining in agricultural production.”

The spokesperson added: “More than 700 responses to our survey demonstrate the clear demand for a facility like this in East Lothian.
 
“We urge members of the Local Review Body to recognise the strong support for this proposal and the benefits it would deliver, and grant planning permission.”