A hotel in Shirley has unveiled a proposal to build three new padel courts, aiming to capitalise on the sport's explosive growth and provide a facility for both guests and local residents.
What is Padel and What's Proposed?
The Regency Hotel on Stratford Road submitted a planning application to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council last month. The sport of padel, often described as a mix of tennis and squash, is played primarily in doubles on a court roughly a third the size of a tennis court and has seen a rapid surge in popularity across the UK.
The application details plans for two semi-covered courts and one uncovered court. The development would also include cycle parking, a prefabricated modular coach hut, and pergola structures with outdoor seating. The facility is intended to occupy an underused section of the hotel's northern car park, currently utilised for waste collection and deliveries.
Addressing a Local Shortfall and Noise Concerns
Planning agents Claremont Planning, acting for the hotel, stated in a supporting document that there is a recognised "shortfall" of such facilities in the borough. They argue the proposal would help meet local demand and encourage active, healthy lifestyles within the community.
Acknowledging that padel courts elsewhere have sometimes led to noise complaints, the applicant has outlined specific measures to mitigate sound. The courts will feature glass walls to contain noise, and synthetic turf will be used to absorb the impact of balls and players' footsteps. The hotel also notes that its guest rooms are fitted with modern double glazing.
The nearest residential properties are approximately 200 metres away, a distance the applicant believes will preserve neighbours' amenity and comply with the council's planning policies on noise.
Next Steps and How to Have Your Say
A formal public consultation on the application is now underway. Residents and interested parties have until Monday, January 26, 2026, to submit their comments to the local authority.
To examine the full plans and make a representation, visit the Solihull Council planning portal and search for application reference PL/2025/02331/PPFL.
