Permitted Development or Planning Permission? Bringing Padel to Rural Communities

Padel’s Popularity  

Originating from Mexico in the late 1960s, padel has gained recent traction across Europe and is now booming in the UK. 

Played on a smaller, enclosed court using tennis scoring, padel combines elements of squash and tennis. Its appeal lies in its fast pace, accessibility, and social nature. Typically played in doubles with underarm serves, it suits mixed-ability groups and offers a more inclusive alternative to traditional racquet sports. 

This rise aligns with a broader societal shift toward health and wellbeing. People increasingly seek exercise that is enjoyable and social, not just functional. Younger generations, driving an 8% increase in gym and fitness spending, are opening up new markets for innovative sporting ventures. 

The pandemic’s impact on work culture has also played a role. With flexible work now the norm, people are no longer tied to urban centres, freeing up time and space for leisure activities in rural areas. This shift, coupled with growing support for local businesses, presents a unique opportunity for rural development. 

Developing and diversifying your estate. 

For landowners, padel offers a chance to diversify income and repurpose underused agricultural buildings. The compact court size makes it ideal for rural settings, allowing flexible land use while meeting community demand. 

From a commercial perspective, indoor courts offer year-round usability and durability, while outdoor courts appeal during summer months. Revenue models vary: pay-to-play, memberships, or partnerships with clubs and schools - all with proven success. Padel developments also create opportunities for ancillary facilities like cafés, changing rooms, and farm shops to support additional income streams. Though padel requires more upfront capital than some diversification options, the long-term returns and added opportunities make it a worthwhile investment. It’s important to seek professional advice, tailoring plans to your site’s specifications, to help build a sustainable business model. 

Class R Permitted Development Rights (PDRs) allow for the change of use of eligible agricultural buildings to be repurposed for flexible commercial uses. These rights streamline the approval process, with fewer criteria and shorter timelines when compared to the traditional planning application process. However, the Class R eligibility criteria are strict and should be carefully navigated with the advice of a rural surveyor. Seek advice on practical steps to ensure the long term-site potential is maximised. The building eligibility requirements include: 

• Used solely for an agricultural use as part of an established agricultural unit on 3rd July 2012 or for a period of 10 years 

• Must not be a listed building 

• A maximum floor space of eligible agricultural buildings for change of use under Class R must not exceed 1,000 square meters per established agricultural unit. 

Practical development requirements include lighting, parking, and access - also central Class R considerations include contamination, highways, noise, and flood risk. Each site presents unique challenges, often requiring third-party surveys. It is important to identify these early, helping avoid unnecessary costs and delays. 

Developments where a building requires external modification and landscaping, like new-build courts or large leisure complexes, require full planning permission. These applications demand more detailed proposals and broader assessment against local planning policies.  

The rise in popularity of padel presents a new, exciting opportunity, for those wanting to diversify their assets. Seek advice early on to ascertain if you can use permitted development rights or full planning, and to conduct feasibility studies, site assessments, stakeholder engagement and support with planning applications – which will ensure a smooth path to successful rural diversification.