Cheshire’s passion for padel still unsated

Operator LinkUp wants to convert a 31,000 sq ft unit at Warrington’s Stretton Distribution Centre into a seven-court hub, while plans are in for courts at Macclesfield Leisure Centre.

On the Warrington project, applicant LinkUp Padel is working with Union4 Planning and The Padel Architects, a division of Hobden Butler Architects.

LinkUp is seeking a change of use consent, actioning which could see the roller shutter doors replaced by a glazed entrance. Access and amenities would be added, and the unit’s car parking provision increased to 44 spaces.

The plans come around a month after Legat Owen let the 37,500 sq ft Minerva House industrial building at Chester West Employment Park to The Padel Club.

In Warrington, five doubles courts and two single courts would be introduced to the site, off Grappenhall Lane in Appleton Thorn to the south-east of the town centre.

Union4 said in its planning statement hat the nearest padel courts are 3.5km to the north, and this is an outdoor facility with only two courts – there are no other padel facilities within 10km, said the consultant.

Although the area is industrial in nature, there is already something of a mix, said Union4, with golf retailer Scottsdale Golf and a garden furniture store among the neighbours.

LinkUp’s plans can be seen on Warrington’s planning portal, reference 2026/00677/FUL.

Everybody Health & Leisure, operator of Macclesfield Leisure Centre, has lodged plans with Cheshire East Council for three doubles courts, with associated canopies and pedestrian access, on a thin strip of land alongside the athletics track close to the indoor centre.

CV Planning, Tyrer Ecological and PDA are advising.

The plans can be seen on Cheshire East’s planning portal, reference 26/2259/FUL.