Planners at Liverpool City Council give the go-ahead for the installation of three floating padel courts in Liverpool Waters. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool Waters is set to capitalise on one of the world’s fastest-growing participation sports after securing planning consent for three floating padel courts.
First reported in LBN in February, the courts would be located in Princes Dock where there is already a floating sauna. This scheme will include three padel courts, a clubhouse with a bar, kitchen, and deck seats.
There will also be a facility selling padel equipment at the clubhouse and a retail outlet from an unnamed UK-based leisure brand.
Planning officers at the city council approved the courts under delegated powers. It is valid for five years, at which point the dock should be restored to its pre-padel state.
In the approval notice the planners say: “This permission is granted for a limited period of five years from the date of this decision and at the expiration of this period the use shall be discontinued and the dock water space shall be restored to its former condition.”
This is to enable the council to assess the effects of the use over a temporary period.
James Whittaker, managing director of Peel Waters, said: “Liverpool Waters is leading the way in bringing innovative, world-class experiences to the UK.
“This new floating padel facility will become a flagship destination for the sport and for waterside leisure in Britain.”
Describing it as a “must-visit destination for players around the world”, he added: “Whether they’re playing, spectating, or socialising in the club, we look forward to our community discovering how much fun this sport is for all.”
Padel is a racquet sport that uses the same scoring conventions as tennis but is played on an enclosed court that is around a third smaller. The ball can be played off the walls, similar to squash. There are now more than 700 padel courts across the UK.
Site owner Peel Waters is partnering with Ville Leisti, Finnish founder of Floating Padel Oy, Tytti Sirola of Bluet Floating Solutions Oy, Gareth Evans of Cheshire-based Padel Ventures and Paul Danson founder of Imagineering Global.
These courts will be built on a special floating Padel platform from Finland, with the courts themselves manufactured in Spain. It is expected the courts will be open from mid-autumn.