Soul Padel submits University of Salford plans
A surface level car park off Wallness Lane adjoining David Lewis playing fields is the subject of proposals for a quartet of covered courts.
Soul Padel has submitted an application to Salford City Council to create facilities for padel enthusiasts and thus bolster the university’s sporting provision.
The scheme follows a formula that will be familiar to players of the fast-growing sport, with the courts served by a shipping container clubhouse.
Eleven parking spaces would be provided for users of the facility.
Operator Soul Padel currently has three operational sites in Stockport, St Helens, and Loughborough.
Padel Plan is advising the Soul Padel on planning matters. To learn more, search for reference number PA/2026/0364 on Salford City Council’s planning portal.
The padel scheme is not the only sporting development in the works on the Salford
Earlier this year, the university launched a consultation on improvements to David Lewis playing fields.
The complex currently features one full-size artificial pitch and two grass pitches. The proposed upgrade would see a second 3G pitch added, as well as a 2G pitch. One of the grass pitches would be retained.
Mark Wantling, chief infrastructure officer at the university, said: “Our padel courts plan is the first step in a major overhaul of our campus sports facilities – so it’s great to know the application has been validated today.
“We are in the middle of a transformation of many parts of our estate with our partners, especially around the Crescent area and we’ll be announcing more about this over the next few months. The padel courts, if planning is granted, will create a brilliant facility for our students to use as well as colleagues plus local schools and other community organisations to access.”
Mark Hewlett, founder and chief executive of Soul Padel said: “It’s great to be working with the University of Salford on this and to see the project progressing. We’re building something that’s centred around community and we can’t wait to welcome people onto the courts to meet, play and connect.”
