Plans have been submitted to transform the vacant site, off Broadway, Bridgwater. Pictures: Google/PCL Planning/Somerset Council

Plans to create three-court Bridgwater Padel complex in town centre submitted

Paul JonesAugust 20, 20250 Comment0

THREE padel courts, a clubhouse, floodlights and seating could soon be built on a long-vacant site in Bridgwater.

PCL Planning, on behalf of DC Hotels (Bridgwater) – which owns the neighbouring Mercure Hotel – has applied to Somerset Council for permission to develop the former Bridgwater Hospital Outpatients building, in Broadway.

The former hospital building – which has lain vacant and boarded up for some time – would be demolished under the plans, with the courts and clubhouse built to replace it.

Padel is a racquet sport, like tennis, but played on smaller courts using smaller balls – and is growing fast across the country.

The former Aldi store building, north east of the proposed courts, has previously been given planning permission for use as a “multi-functional events and conference centre” in association with the Mercure Hotel.

The latest application bids to install the three floodlit courts, with blue artificial glass, as well as an enclosing steel frame with glazing.

From this:

The vacant former Bridgwater Hospital Outpatients building, in Broadway. Picture: Google

To this:

How the Bridgwater Padel development could look from Broadway. Picture: PCL Planning/Somerset Council

“The proposals involve the demolition of the existing former outpatients building and for the site to be used to provide three padel courts, each measuring 20m in length and 10m in width,” the application said.

“The courts will be laid out with one at the front of the site adjacent to Broadway with the remaining two courts behind.”

The clubhouse would come in the form of a shipping container structure, the application said.

“Seating for spectators will be provided by fixed bench style seating to be located around the court complex, to the north east, south east and south west,” it said.

“In addition to the three courts, a padel court clubhouse formed by converting a steel storage container will be sited to the north east, adjacent to Broadway.

“This will provide an entrance lobby, reception area, changing rooms and accessible toilets. It will also provide the signage for Bridgwater Padel, fronting the Broadway.”

Access would come through the main car park of the former Aldi store via its access from the Broadway, the plans outlined, which is covered by the permission for the events and conference centre at the former Aldi.

“A vehicular access has already been formed through from that site into the car washing facility and associated parking to the east of the former outpatients building and this will also be used for the padel court complex,” the application added.

The complex would be enclosed by a 3m-high wire mesh perimeter fence, set within the existing low wall, for security, the plans detailed, with two pedestrian access points, one to serve the clubhouse and the other to provide access to the courts.

Planners at Somerset Council will now consider the application. For more details, and to comment on the plans, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search reference 08/25/00155.