Solihull planners have approved David Lloyd’s Solihull Cranmore gym proposal to add three padel courts by converting two existing tennis courts at their Cranmore Boulevard location. The application, submitted in August, includes plans for one of the courts to be covered and equipped with floodlighting to facilitate night matches.
Padel, one of the fastest-growing sports nationwide, has seen dramatic growth, with Lawn Tennis Association figures showing an increase from 15,000 players in 2019 to 400,000 in 2023. A hybrid of squash and tennis, padel is played on a court nearly 25 times smaller than a traditional tennis court, making it accessible and highly social.
The gym’s design and access statement highlights padel as an enjoyable, easy-to-play sport and notes David Lloyd’s leadership in introducing padel across more than 50 locations nationwide.
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To ensure community comfort, David Lloyd commissioned Hepworth Acoustics Ltd to conduct a noise assessment. The report concluded that the padel courts, operating during the gym’s standard hours (weekdays 7am–10:30pm, weekends 7am–9pm), would not produce adverse noise impacts on neighbors. Existing boundary fencing and glass screens around the courts were deemed sufficient for noise mitigation without additional measures.
On December 1, Solihull Council’s head of planning, design and engagement services, Mark Andrews, officially granted permission for the project, subject to standard conditions.
This new addition marks a significant step in meeting the growing demand for padel facilities in the region, boosting both David Lloyd’s sports offerings and local recreational opportunities.