A plan has been submitted to build two padel courts on unused land at Altrincham Golf Club - bringing the fast-growing racket sport to the borough's only municipal golf course for the first time.
Trafford Leisure CIC, which runs the municipal golf course on behalf of Trafford Council, wants to transform a patch of surplus land south of the driving range - currently used for storing golf course equipment - into two publicly accessible padel courts.
The application, prepared by CV Planning on behalf of Trafford Leisure, describes the development as an opportunity to bring publicly accessible padel to an area of Trafford currently underserved by the sport.
All existing padel facilities in the borough - including courts at Hale Country Club and Dunham Forest Golf Club - are either private members' clubs or commercial venues. The Altrincham Golf Club courts would carry lower price barriers to entry.
The plans call for two standard-sized padel courts, each measuring 20 metres by 10 metres, constructed from a prefabricated galvanised steel frame finished in a muted green colour to blend in with the surrounding golf course environment. The courts would feature rebound glass panels, professional synthetic turf playing surfaces, and downward-facing LED floodlights on columns up to six metres tall.
Players would use the existing car park - around 30 spaces - that already serves the driving range and golf shop. Secure cycle parking will also be provided.
Trafford Leisure CIC, which is wholly owned by Trafford Council but operates independently, says the courts would plug a gap in provision for local residents who cannot afford private club membership fees.
A draft timetable already drawn up by Trafford Leisure includes dedicated sessions for local schools, over-65s and physically impaired users. Public coaching and summer camps are also planned.
The revenue generated by the courts would be reinvested into Trafford Leisure's wider operations, including the upkeep of Altrincham Golf Club itself.
The site sits within the Green Belt, which means the application will face scrutiny from planners. However, the supporting planning statement argues the proposals represent appropriate development under national planning policy, as they relate to outdoor sport and recreation on an established leisure site.
The application comes amid a national surge in padel's popularity. According to figures cited in the planning statement, the number of people playing padel in England grew more than eight times between 2021 and 2023, rising from 15,000 to 129,000.
The Lawn Tennis Association, which governs the sport, has set a target of growing that figure to 400,000 players and increasing the number of courts from 350 to 1,000 by 2026.
The application has been registered under reference 118585/FUL/26. Residents can view the documents and submit comments via Trafford Council's planning portal.
