New padel tennis courts in Southbury and Edmonton have won approval while many more are planned elsewhere, reports James Cracknell
A major expansion of padel tennis provision across Enfield borough is being planned as the racquet sport continues to surge in popularity.
For several years, Hazelwood Tennis Club in Winchmore Hill hosted the borough’s only public padel tennis facility, but it could soon be just one of several locations across the borough if plans for six new venues are all delivered as proposed.
This week planning approval was granted for two new padel facilities, at Southbury Leisure Centre and Powerleague Enfield, while three other venues in The Ridgeway, Trent Park and Winchmore Hill have also won permission over the past 18 months and are due to open shortly.
In addition, a sixth new padel tennis facility is now proposed at David Lloyd Club in Enfield Town.
Invented in the 1960s, padel combines elements of tennis and squash and is played on a small, enclosed court with glass and mesh walls that are an essential part of the game, meaning it cannot be played without a purpose-built facility.
The application to install new padel courts at Southbury Leisure Centre was unanimously passed by Enfield Council’s planning committee last night (Tuesday 14th), bringing the UK’s fastest-growing sport to a council-owned venue for the first time.
The construction of the padel facility, containing three courts, overhead canopy and floodlights at the rear of the leisure centre in Southbury Road, will begin in the coming months.
The development will also include a dedicated pedestrian access route, two additional parking spaces for Blue Badge holders in the existing car park, and three new stands for cycle parking.
Once open the padel tennis venue will operate on a pay-and-play basis, meaning there is no requirement for long-term commitments to play. Opening hours will be from 7am–9pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am–5pm at weekends.
The courts will utilise an underused area of land situated between the existing Southbury Leisure Centre and the adjoining 3G football pitch on Enfield Playing Fields.
Edward Smith, the council’s cabinet member for council assets, said: “I am delighted our residents will soon have the opportunity of playing padel in a brand new facility.
“The new courts will be in an established leisure and recreation setting and will help to address a recognised shortfall in padel provision in the borough.
“Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the UK, so the new courts will support both physical and mental health, by tackling inactivity, obesity and social isolation.”
The other padel tennis venue to win planning approval this summer is at Powerleague Enfield in Great Cambridge Road, Edmonton.
With works expected for completion in December, Powerleague – the UK’s leading small-sided football and multi-sport provider – will be adding four “state-of-the-art” canopied padel courts as part of a £850,000 investment.
John Gillespie, chief executive of Powerleague, said: “We’re continuously striving to provide the very best facilities and increased opportunities to play.
“Completed towards the end of this year, the new courts will make the sport more accessible to those in the local area and that is something we are committed to do. Whether you’re a first-time player or an experienced pro, padel has continued to be incredibly popular across the UK, thanks to its sociable nature and the community it has attracted.”
The other local padel facilities that have recently won permission from the council are for Enfield Lawn Tennis Club, based in The Ridgeway (approved January 2025); Winchmore Hill Tennis Club, based at The Paulin Ground (approved November 2025); and at Southgate Hockey Club in Trent Park (approved February 2026).
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is aiming to grow participation of padel to 400,000 players and 1,000 courts across the UK by the end of this year.
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