Planning lodged for padel court development in Sealand

Plans have been submitted to Flintshire County Council for the installation of two outdoor padel courts at the Fore Golf centre on Deeside Lane, Sealand.

The application was received on 13 March 2025 and has now been made available for public consultation.

The planning submission outlines a proposal to develop two 10m x 20m courts on a 445-square metre area of vacant land situated behind Fore Golf’s driving range. The land is currently a mix of grass and hardstanding, bordered by the main building and the short course.

The proposed courts would be fenced to a height of four metres and fitted with six-metre-tall floodlight columns.

Lighting specifications, included in the submission, show downward-facing LED floodlights designed to reduce glare and light pollution.

Technical documents show an average ground illuminance of 558 lux and a light pollution rate of 0.14%.

Access to the site would remain unchanged, via the current entrance on Deeside Lane off Sealand Road.

Existing parking facilities would be retained, and no changes to traffic arrangements are proposed.

Drainage will be handled using porous materials, with no requirement for foul drainage as the development does not include built structures or plumbing.

The site is classified as ‘Level 1’ for flood risk by Natural Resources Wales and benefits from existing security measures, including gated access, lighting, and CCTV coverage.

According to the planning documents, all construction materials will be sustainably sourced where possible, and landscaping will match the existing site appearance.

The planning history for Fore Golf includes a range of improvements over the years, most recently an approved extension to the driving range in May 2023.

Padel, a sport that blends elements of tennis and squash, has been growing in popularity across the UK.

If approved, the proposed courts would represent a new addition to the local sports offering in the Deeside and Sealand area.

A statement from the applicant, included in the design and access documentation, notes: “All materials specified will be sustainably sourced where possible and the site will be landscaped to match the remainder of the facility.”

Members of the public can now submit comments on the application via Flintshire County Council’s planning portal.

Flintshire council is targeting a determination date of 8 May 2025.