Plans have been submitted for a new development of padel tennis courts on land south of Dobbins garden centre in Shenstone. The project aims to address a shortage of recreational facilities in the Lichfield district. If approved, it would include six covered courts to enable year-round use.
Developers have proposed installing six padel tennis courts on a site adjacent to the Dobbins garden centre in Shenstone, a village in Staffordshire. The initiative seeks to fill a gap in local sports options, as outlined in a planning statement submitted to Lichfield District Council.
The statement highlights the need for such facilities in the area: “The proposals seek to provide recreational facilities which are lacking in Lichfield. With the provision of covered facilities as well, this makes the courts useable throughout the year and accessible to more users.” It also notes that the district could support up to eight padel courts, suggesting demand exists for expansion.
Padel, described in the documents as a discipline of tennis recently recognised by Sport England, is portrayed as a rapidly expanding activity. The planning report states: “It is generally described as the fastest growing sport in the world and is increasingly becoming the fastest growing sport in the UK. Padel is easy to learn and popular with women and men and played by people of all ages and abilities.”
This proposal follows recent approvals for a padel facility in Beacon Park, Lichfield, and ongoing submissions for indoor courts in nearby Burntwood. Full details of the Shenstone plans are available on the Lichfield District Council’s planning website, where the public can review and comment before a decision is made.