A new leisure development aimed at enhancing outdoor recreational offerings has been approved at Lady Heyes Camping and Caravan Site in Frodsham, Cheshire.
Planning permission was recently granted by Cheshire West and Chester Council for the construction of three padel courts on land currently serving as amenity space within the established holiday park.
Padel, a racquet sport often described as a blend of tennis and squash, is gaining international popularity.
Originating in Mexico in 1969, it is typically played in doubles on a smaller, enclosed court where the ball can rebound off glass or mesh walls. According to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), padel is “the fastest-growing sport in the world” and “an innovative form of tennis.”
According to a report by Runcorn & Widnes World, the newly approved development is located southeast of the main caravan site and east of the Lady Heyes Craft Centre’s parking area.
Planning documents describe the project as comprising three courts, each measuring 10 meters by 20 meters, featuring synthetic turf and enclosed by glass and mesh panels. The plan also includes the addition of 10 visitor parking spaces.
While the site falls within a designated Green Belt area—a zoning classification intended to limit urban sprawl—the council’s planning officer concluded that the development aligns with Green Belt policies.
“In this instance, the predominant characteristic of the land will remain open, as there are no buildings proposed,” the report stated. “The amount of built form proposed (glass and netting) is the minimum required to provide appropriate facilities for the outdoor recreation use.”
It further added, “The proposal would therefore preserve the openness of the Green Belt and would not provide facilities beyond that which would be appropriate for the outdoor recreation use proposed.”
For operators in the outdoor hospitality sector, this development highlights a potential revenue and guest engagement opportunity.
Incorporating recreational activities like padel—especially those with growing global appeal—can differentiate a site’s offerings, improve guest satisfaction, and attract a broader demographic.
As holiday parks look to diversify their amenities in response to changing consumer preferences, leisure investments such as this could offer a strategic edge.