Uni of Salford eyes more sporting upgrades at Peel Park
Following the submission of plans for four padel courts on an underused car park, the university has tabled proposals for a package of works at David Lewis Playing Fields.
The University of Salford wants to add a second 3G football pitch and a 2G pitch for tennis, hockey and recreational 11-a-side football at its Peel Park Campus. One of the three grass pitches will be retained and an informal 1km running trail will be introduced.
New changing facilities and toilets are also planned. The padel courts would be located on an adjoining surface car park and would be operated by Soul Padel, subject to planning approval.
The proposals for David Lewis Playing Fields have been worked up by ECF, the partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse, which is leading on the £2bn Crescent Salford masterplan. If plans are approved, work is expected to begin on David Lewis Playing Fields later this year.
Mark Wantling, chief infrastructure officer at University of Salford who is leading on the Campus Connectivity Plan, said: “At the University of Salford we are proud of our reputation for the quality of our sports education.
“Now it’s time to ramp up our commitment to public and community health, by providing high-quality facilities that can be used all year round, by students, staff, local sports groups, and members of the public. Combined with our planned padel courts, we are aiming for a major overhaul of our campus sports facilities. It’s another example of how we’re reimagining the Crescent area and surrounding estate with our partners in Crescent Salford.”
Max Bentham, director of development management at ECF, said: “The upgraded David Lewis Playing Fields will enable the community to come together to play a wider range of sports, better utilising this green space, which is unique to Salford.
“New planting and landscaping will support Crescent Salford’s sustainability goals and footpaths and lighting will make the area more accessible. This aspect of the masterplan will be key to opening up the University’s campus to the wider community and enabling people to benefit from the upgrades being made.”
Work is already underway on several other schemes across campus as part of the connectivity plan, including a new facility for the university’s renowned acoustics institute and the Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre. Both are due to open in 2027.
