Padel tennis courts at farm approved

Plans for padel tennis courts and to redevelop a farm shop have been approved.

South Staffordshire Council granted planning permission over proposals to build four courts, a clubhouse and to add parking at Bradshaws Farm in Perton near Wolverhampton.

The planned project represented "a well-considered rural diversification scheme that delivers clear economic, social, and environmental benefits", the authority said.

It gave approval, subject to a Section 106 agreement, after an officer report recommended permission be granted subject to that agreement over biodiversity net gain.

The courts would be constructed to Lawn Tennis Association standards, be enclosed by glass and include floodlighting, with the small clubhouse next to them.

More than 50 parking spaces were proposed.

Adding padel courts would provide recreational facilities for the community, "supporting health and wellbeing objectives", the document said.

It stated a high-quality, sustainable building would replace an outdated structure.

The scheme could be delivered "without unacceptable impacts" on highway safety, flood risk or protected trees, subject to appropriate conditions, the report added.

It said the site was in the West Midlands Green Belt, but the proposals were within exceptions set out in the national planning policy framework for redeveloping previously developed land and providing sport and recreation facilities.

The document stated it was demonstrated the project would not result in substantial harm to the openness of the Green Belt and would improve the landscape "through extensive native planting and biodiversity improvements".

With increasing financial strain on the industry, farmers needed to diversify in order to survive, applicants had said.

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