Plans for padel and pickleball centre in village

Plans have been submitted to build a new padel tennis and pickleball centre in a Shropshire village.

The proposals would see four padel courts and four pickleball courts created at Albrighton Garden Centre in Albrighton.

Playing areas would be covered by 7m (23ft) high canopies designed to allow year-round use.

The development would also include changing facilities, equipment hire, vending machines, cycle parking and 33 car parking spaces, including four electric vehicle charging bays.

According to planning documents, the nearest courts are located in Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Stafford and Telford.

Padel, which is played on an enclosed court with glass walls, has grown rapidly in popularity across the UK in recent years.

Pickleball, which uses a paddle and perforated plastic ball on a badminton-sized court, is also expanding quickly, particularly among older players.

Documents submitted with the application describe pickleball as one of the fastest-growing sports among people aged over 60 and say the development would help improve access to recreation and exercise in the area.

The courts would be enclosed by tempered glass and mesh fencing, while 24 new trees would be planted around the site.

Public consultation, carried out before the application was submitted, was said to have found support for additional sports facilities in the village, although concerns were raised about traffic, construction disruption and the site's green belt location.

A decision on the application will be made by Shropshire Council at a later date.

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