Padel At The Pub
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FOR PUB OWNERS

Do you need planning permission for a padel court?

Usually, yes. It’s also one less thing to worry about, because it’s entirely our job as part of the partnership, not yours.

WHAT’S TYPICALLY INVOLVED

What a council actually looks at.

This is general guidance, not planning advice for your specific site. Every application is assessed on its own merits by the local authority. Here’s roughly what tends to come up.

Structure & scale

An enclosed court with glass and fencing is usually treated as a new structure, which typically needs a full planning application rather than falling under permitted development.

Floodlighting

Evening play means floodlights, and councils will often assess light spill onto neighbouring homes as part of the application.

Noise considerations

Padel is noisier than tennis, with the ball hitting glass and voices carrying, so proximity to residential neighbours is usually part of the assessment.

Local authority variance

Every council weighs these factors differently. What sails through in one area can need more work in another. There’s no single national answer.

What an application usually includes

Requirements differ by council, but an application for a new sports court typically involves the following.

›A location plan and a site plan showing where the court would go
›Drawings of the court, fencing and any lighting
›Details of floodlighting and how light spill will be controlled
›Information on noise and the distance to neighbouring homes
›The application form and supporting documents

As a partner, preparing and submitting the application is our job. This page is general guidance, and your local authority’s own requirements apply.

NOT YOUR PROBLEM

We handle planning, start to finish.

The site survey assesses planning risk before anything is agreed. If your site looks viable, we take the application through design, submission, any objections and sign-off, without you needing any planning expertise of your own.

Feasibility & planning risk assessed upfront, before you commit to anything
Full application prepared and submitted on your behalf
We handle communication with the local authority
You’re kept informed, but the workload isn’t yours

PLANNING FAQs

Planning questions, answered.

So, do I need planning permission for a padel court?

In most cases, yes, an enclosed padel court is usually treated as a new structure rather than permitted development, though it genuinely depends on your specific site and local authority. This page is general guidance, not a planning determination for your pub.

Who handles the planning application if I partner with you?

We do, from the initial site survey through to submission and sign-off. It’s one of the core reasons pub owners choose the partnership over building independently.

How long does planning typically take?

It varies by local authority and site, sometimes weeks, sometimes longer if there are objections or additional assessments needed. We give you a realistic timeline once we’ve looked at your specific site.

What happens if planning permission is refused?

It’s assessed as part of the initial feasibility stage precisely to catch this early, before any real commitment. Not every site will be right, and we’ll tell you honestly if yours looks unlikely to get approval.

Curious what it costs? Read how much does it cost to build a padel court, or check is my pub right for a padel court.

START THE CONVERSATION

Let’s talk about your venue.

Tell us about your pub and we’ll arrange a no-obligation site review. Prefer to email? Reach our partnerships team directly.

Partner enquiry

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