Shirley hotel unveils padel courts plans

The Regency Hotel proposes three courts for fast growing sport

Sam Greenway - Local Democracy Reporter | Thursday 15th January 2026 12:09pm

A Shirley hotel is proposing to build new padel courts for its guests and the wider community to use.

Padel, a combination of tennis and squash, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It is mainly played in doubles in a space about the third of the size of a tennis court.

The Regency Hotel in Stratford Road applied to Solihull Council for three courts last month.

A planning statement included in the application says: “The proposed padel courts are intended to provide a high quality, inclusive sporting facility for recreational play for players of all ages and abilities.

“The courts will be available for use by all visitors with flexible booking options and will serve as a venue for the promotion of physical activity and wellbeing.

“The proposed site comprises two semi-covered and one uncovered padel courts, cycle parking, a prefabricated modular coach hut, and pergola structures with outdoor seating areas.

“The facility will be located within the curtilage of the existing hotel occupying an underutilised section of the northern car park currently used for waste collection and deliveries.

“The proposed development seeks to provide a modern and accessible venue for sport and recreational play, catering to hotel guests and the wider Solihull community.”

Planning agents Claremont Planning say in the statement there is a “shortfall” in the borough for the courts so the proposal would “help meet local demand and promote active lifestyles”.

Padel courts elsewhere nationally have attracted noise complaints from neighbours.

But the applicant stresses: “The proposed courts feature glass walls, which will help contain sound.

“Additionally, the use of synthetic turf has been chosen to absorb the impact of balls and footsteps – further reducing the potential for noise.

“The Regency Hotel building itself benefits from a high standard of modern double glazing throughout its guest rooms.”

The statement adds the nearest residential properties are 200m away, ensuring the proposal would “preserve residential amenity and minimise adverse noise impacts” required in the authority’s planning policies.

A consultation is now underway with a closing date for submissions of January 26.

To view the plans and submit a comment search for application PL/2025/02331/PPFL at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.

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