\n Last summer, it was reported that under-utilised outdoor tennis courts at Birchwood Community Hub were being eyed up for conversion for padel tennis.\n<\/p>\n
\n Warrington Borough Council\u2019s cabinet approved a motion to develop three outdoor, covered, and lit padel tennis courts.\n<\/p>\n
\n These were to be installed and managed by external operator Soul Padel, which would also be responsible for maintaining the courts.\n<\/p>\n
\n Now, an application has been submitted to the council\u2019s planning department seeking full planning permission for three padel courts.\n<\/p>\n
\n These would replace the two southernmost tennis courts, leaving the remaining two unaffected, with the new padel courts to be covered by a canopy and with boundary fencing.\n<\/p>\n
\n A single-storey clubhouse is also planned by applicant Soul Padel Ltd at the Benson Road site, in the form of a modified 40ft shipping container.\n<\/p>\n
\n This would house a reception desk, accessible toilet, coffee bar, and storage facilities.\n<\/p>\n
\n One of the world\u2019s fastest growing sports, padel is a hybrid of tennis and squash, played on courts similar to by 25 per cent smaller than traditional tennis courts, with glass surrounding walls.\n<\/p>\n
\n It would be open to all members of the public through a booking system.\n<\/p>\n
\n A previous council report stated: \u201cBirchwood Community Hub drives LiveWire\u2019s community tennis programme.\n<\/p>\n
\n Plans have been submitted for padel tennis courts at Birchwood Community Hub (Image: Newsquest)\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt offers Warrington residents of all ages and abilities the opportunity to engage in tennis through a range of initiatives across four external and four indoor tennis courts.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThere has been little investment in the outdoor tennis courts at the site since they were treated and repainted in 2018\/19.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThis report sets out the proposal to create a padel tennis facility at Birchwood Community Hub, by converting two of the under-utilised outdoor tennis courts into padel courts\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIn doing this, Birchwood Community Hub would become a designated centre for racket sports within the borough.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n The report goes on to say that there are currently no permanent padel courts in east Warrington, with the proposal expanding the current racket sport offer at Birchwood Community Hub.\n<\/p>\n