Plans for new padel and tennis centre in Farnworth

Ecommerce Business Park (UK) Ltd has submitted a proposal to Bolton Council to transform part of a warehousing unit on the Express Trading Estate, Stone Hill Road, Farnworth, into an indoor padel tennis centre.

The scheme would involve converting 1,776 square metres of the existing warehouse space and reorganising the car park layout.

Site plan (Image: Bolton Council)

A transport statement included with the application said peak usage times for the padel centre would complement the warehouse operations, with leisure demand in the evenings and at weekends.

The site, which includes a 4,110 square metre warehouse, currently accommodates around 25 vehicles on hardstanding areas, but the plans propose a formal layout with 57 spaces, up from the existing 43.

Up to 20 players could use the courts at any one time.

Highways analysis found no injury collisions on surrounding roads between 2020 and 2024 and concluded that the development would not create new risks.

The site is accessible via bus stops on Worsley Road and Westland Avenue, with services to Bolton, Salford, and Manchester.

The proposal aligns with regional planning policies that encourage the reuse of brownfield land and the promotion of active travel under the Greater Manchester “Places for Everyone” framework.

No impact on biodiversity is expected, with the applicant citing a “de minimis exemption” as no natural habitats would be affected.

If approved, the development would raise employment at the site from eight to 13 full-time equivalent jobs.

A decision on the application will be made by Bolton Council in due course.