Plans for new padel courts at Salisbury golf club supported

The application seeks planning permission for the construction of four outdoor padel tennis courts, with associated lighting, access arrangements, landscaping and parking provision at Salisbury Golf Centre.

The proposed courts will be located on an area of grassland adjacent to the first tee and existing golf facilities, within the sporting environment of the Golf Centre.

Each padel court will measure approximately 10 metres by 20 metres, enclosed by a combination of toughened glass panels and electrowelded mesh fencing.

The proposal includes provision for 17 additional parking spaces within the existing parking area, alongside shared use of the existing Golf Centre parking.

Proposed site plan (Image: Birch Architects)

The plans state that the playing surface will comprise a modern artificial padel surface suitable for year-round use. LED lighting will be provided to allow use during darker hours while minimising energy consumption and light spill beyond the site.

This will comprise four arrays of two lights per court on 6m columns. Existing changing and welfare facilities within the Golf Centre clubhouse will be used by padel players, and no new buildings are required to support the development.

The application was considered by members of Salisbury City Council’s planning and development committee on Monday, February 16.

Councillors raised concerns about the noise impact of this development, but others argued that, given its location just off busy Wilton Road, the noise would not affect nearby properties.

Councillors voted unanimously to support the plans, saying that padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world and that they "should not discourage people from being active."

The application will now go to Wiltshire Council for a decision, and Salisbury City Council's support will be taken into account.

To see the plans in full, visit the Wiltshire Council planning portal and search for reference number PL/2026/00120.