DPP Associate Director, Lee Fulcher recently spoke to Estates Gazette about the planning side of Padel. Which is emerging as one of the most commercially attractive opportunities currently available to landowners.
Padel continues to grow rapidly across the UK and, from a sport and leisure planning perspective, is emerging as one of the most commercially attractive opportunities currently available to landowners. As an accessible entry-level racket sport, its appeal is obvious, which is reflected by the latest Lawn Tennis Association statistics, which found that more than 860,000 juniors and adults played at least once last year.
But what makes padel particularly interesting is the winning combination of strong demand, relatively quick delivery and, in some cases, planning flexibility – for the right site, that can make it a compelling proposition.
Interim or permanent
Commercially, padel is a reliable investment, as court hire typically ranges from £30–£50 per hour off-peak and £50–£80 per hour at peak times, with many operators reporting 80–90% occupancy during evenings and weekends. As a result, a single court can generate £150,000–£250,000 per year, depending on location, operator model and programming. We have promoted more than 60 padel courts across the UK in the last 12 months, with a strong pipeline of further projects. Whether as a temporary use or a permanent facility, early advice on site selection, planning strategy and policy risk can make a significant difference to deliverability.
