Greenwich Council has approved The London Padel Club’s proposal to install four outdoor padel courts on empty land that used to be occupied by Eltham Police Station in Well Hall Road, Eltham.
The council has also received an application from ClubPickle to build inner London’s first indoor pickleball facility and clubhouse by the Greenwich Peninsula Golf Range.
Eltham Police Station, which was built in 1937, closed in 2022 and was soon knocked down after planning permission to demolish it was granted in the same year.
The plot has been vacant since then.
Now the site will be used for Londoners to try their hands at padel, a more accessible variation of tennis that has become popular in the city in recent years.
According to planning documents, padel is the fastest growing racket sport in the world, with the Lawn Tennis Association calling it “easy to play, fun and extremely sociable”.
Alongside the four floodlit courts, planning permission has been granted to build an associated bar/lounge and seating area, toilets and changing facilities, office space, storage, outdoor seating and parking for both cars and bikes.
Although the proposal has been approved, the application was only for temporary planning permission of five years, meaning the club currently only has permission to operate until 2030.
ClubPickle’s proposal to build a pickleball club on the peninsula is also for a temporary period, but for 10 years instead of five.
Pickleball, like padel, has exploded in popularity in recent years as well.
According to ClubPickle, over 50 million people play it globally and it is the most accessible racket sport in the world.
Although pickleball and padel are similar in terms of playing style and looks, key differences include that padel is played in a bigger, enclosed court while pickleball is played on a smaller, open one.
They are also played with different types of rackets and balls.
The Greenwich pickleball club would have 12 indoor courts alongside a clubhouse café, toilets, showers and an office and reception area.
If approved, the club would be built on land that is currently used for storage and parking, just by the northeast side of the golf range.
ClubPickle currently operates one of London’s largest pickleball clubs which is based in Acton, Ealing.
It has gained over 200 members since it was established.
