Rutland County Council is considering proposals to build two padel courts at Rutland Water Golf Club. The development aims to introduce the rapidly growing sport to the site, with minimal impact on local traffic and parking. A consultation period is set for February ahead of a final decision.
Proposals for two new padel courts have been lodged with Rutland County Council for the Rutland Water Golf Club, located north of Manton Road between Manton and Edith Weston, about 580 metres south of Rutland Water. The site shares an access road with the Rutland Water Fruit Farm and includes facilities such as the Lodge Farm holiday cottage, pro shop, clubhouse, bar, and restaurant. The courts would sit adjacent to the holiday cottage.
Padel, a doubles racquet sport that blends elements of tennis and squash on an enclosed court where walls are integral to play, is gaining traction worldwide. The application, prepared by Matt Hubbard of the Planning Hub on behalf of the golf club, highlights the sport's appeal as easy, fun, healthy, sociable, and accessible to all ages and abilities.
"Padel is becoming the world's fastest growing sport," Hubbard stated. "More padel courts are appearing across the country, and are especially popular where they form an addition to an existing sporting venue and/or are closely linked to clubhouse facilities that have changing rooms, showers, toilets and cafeteria areas."
The courts would be covered for year-round use, with the structure featuring open sides up to four metres high for natural light, a profiled metal roof, and timber-clad side walls. This design not only provides weather protection but also helps the courts blend into the rural landscape while incorporating lighting to prevent light spill and extend usable hours into evenings and winter.
Planners anticipate negligible effects on traffic and parking, as the courts would accommodate only eight players at a time, supported by 160 existing spaces. Similar projects have been approved nearby, including at Woolfox Golf and Country Club, Barnsdale Lodge in Exton, and most recently, two courts at Burghley Park Golf Club near Stamford in December.
A public consultation will occur in February, after which Rutland County Council will decide on the application.