P4 Planning has submitted a full planning application on behalf of Marlow Racquet Club Ltd for a new centre for racquet sports within Little Marlow Lakes Country Park. The scheme proposes the demolition of a redundant building and its replacement with a hub for padel, pickleball and tennis, together with a clubhouse and wellness space.
Situated on Fieldhouse Lane between the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Globe Business Park, the development is on a grey belt site and will add to the cluster of leisure activities already established in the Country Park, which is home to rugby, water-skiing, fishing and fitness. Together, these uses are helping to shape the area as a destination for sport, recreation and wellbeing.
The project is led by Phil Basford, founder of Padel Berkshire and the team behind Padel Maidenhead. That facility has become nationally recognised as the first in the UK to provide fully accessible padel, including wheelchair play and programmes for disabled players. It has pioneered a model of inclusive community sport, running school outreach, SEN partnerships, holiday clubs and national events.
In September this year, Padel Maidenhead hosted the first UK-based Inclusive Padel Tour, marking a major milestone is accessible sport. The event brought together adaptive athletes and able-bodied players from across Britain, Italy, Spain and beyond, generating widespread enthusiasm and media attention. According to press reports, “the event was absolutely spectacular, with brilliant padel on display and the most incredible atmosphere throughout the day”. Building on that momentum, the proposed Marlow facility will extend the same inclusive vision into the local community, enabling more people of all abilities to take part in padel, pickleball and tennis right on their doorstep.
“Hosting the UK’s first Inclusive Padel Tour was a transformative moment for us – it proved that padel can and should be for everyone. We are determined that our Marlow centre will carry forward that same ethos of inclusion and accessibility.” Phil Basford, Founder of Padel Berkshire
The design of the facility has been shaped by its lakeside setting and the wider ambitions for the Country Park. A barn-style clubhouse finished in natural timber cladding will sit comfortably within its surroundings, while new planting, hedgerows and wildflower meadows will strengthen biodiversity and soften the development. The clubhouse has been designed with terraces overlooking both the lake and the courts, creating social spaces that connect visitors with the natural setting.
Image credit: Edgintons Architects
The application responds to a clear unmet need. Despite the rapid growth of padel across the UK, there are currently no courts serving Marlow. This scheme provides an opportunity to address that shortfall while creating wider benefits for the community, including opportunities for participation at all levels, new employment and coaching roles, and the ability to host tournaments and events that bring people together.
If you would like to learn more about the proposed scheme, please visit Buckinghamshire Council’s public access website, using the application ref. PL/25/4123/FA.
