Plans for two outdoor padel courts at Greenway Hall Golf Club in Stockton Brook await approval from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council. The proposal aims to add recreational facilities on a site currently used for overflow parking. Local resident Stephen Davies has raised concerns about potential parking shortages.
Greenway Hall Golf Club in Stockton Brook, Staffordshire Moorlands, has submitted plans to Staffordshire Moorlands District Council for two outdoor padel courts. Padel, a sport combining elements of tennis and squash, has gained significant popularity worldwide, prompting this addition to the club's recreational offerings.
The proposed courts would occupy land presently serving as an overspill car parking area, resulting in the loss of 14 parking spaces. A design and access statement accompanying the application describes the development as a suitable, small-scale enhancement to the existing facilities. It emphasizes efforts to maintain the openness of the Green Belt, safeguard the Caldon Canal Conservation Area through landscaping and traditional boundaries, and prevent any adverse effects on nearby listed buildings or local amenities.
Local resident Stephen Davies has voiced primary concerns over parking adequacy. He notes that the courts could require up to eight additional spaces, leading to a net loss of 22 spaces across the golf club, driving range, and Lockside Restaurant on the site. The restaurant is undergoing an extension to accommodate more customers, potentially increasing demand further. All facilities would operate until 10pm, including during late summer evenings when golf play extends into the night.
Davies also highlights existing issues with noise from late-departing customers and worries that overflow parking on Stanley Road could exacerbate problems for residents. He points out the road's blind bends, making it unsuitable for parking near the site entrance. The proposals were reported on February 3, 2026, by local democracy reporter Kerry Ashdown.