A LARGE warehouse could be transformed into a huge padel tennis facility if plans are approved.
A proposal has been submitted to Warrington Borough Council seeking full planning permission for a proposed change of use of Unit 4b at Stretton Distribution Centre.
At present, the building on Grappenhall Lane in Appleton Thorn has a planning use as a warehouse.
But applicant LinkUp Padel is seeking permission to use the structure as a padel tennis club, with plans including the replacement of the roller shutter door with glazed doors.
Changes would also be made to existing car parking, to provide access from the public highway, and other associated works.
Planning documents state: “The application site is located off Grappenhall Lane at Unit 4B, Stretton Distribution Centre, within the established employment area to the South of Warrington.
“The site comprises a steel portal frame warehouse facility extending to approximately 31,000 square feet, together with an external yard area providing secure parking and servicing arrangements.
“Padel tennis is a fast-growing racket sport that has established strong popularity in the UK due to its accessibility, social format, and ease of participation.
“Played in pairs on an enclosed court approximately a third of the size of a tennis court, it uses underarm serves, wall rebounds, and lightweight rackets, making it suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities.
A padel tennis facility is planned in an Appleton Thorn warehouse (Image: LinkUp Padel)
“The sport has experienced significant growth in the UK in recent years, and LTA data from May 2025 shows participation has increased by more than 2,500 per cent since 2019, supported by more than 1,000 courts across around 325 venues nationally.”
LinkUp Padel says that the provision of padel facilities within the immediate Appleton Thorn and Warrington area is ‘relatively limited’, with existing sites generally several miles from the application site and varying in scale and offer.
“In particular, there is limited covered provision within the immediate Stretton and Appleton Thorn area, meaning that users are generally required to travel further afield for suitable year-round facilities,” documents state.
“This feasibility proposal sets out a strong and deliverable vision for a high-quality padel centre in Warrington, combining a well-balanced mix of courts with a clear and efficient layout.
“The scheme includes four double courts, a competition court, and two single courts, supported by a feature entrance and a defined arrival space that establishes a clear identity and sense of place from the outset.
“The existing car parking is reconfigured to enhance the site’s appearance, while incorporating accessible and EV parking bays, with additional overflow parking positioned to the rear.
Plans add that the development would create both full and part-time employment opportunities, including coaching, operational management, and maintenance roles, supporting local job creation within the Warrington area.
It is also said that the facility would generate additional activity within the wider Stretton and Appleton Thorn area, with users also likely to support nearby food and retail uses in surrounding settlements such as Stockton Heath and Warrington.