Chiswick Rugby Club Planning Major Padel Facility
Wants to build five courts on its Dukes Meadows site
A visualisation of how the courts would look from the planning application. Picture: Chiswick Rugby Club
September 6, 2025
Chiswick Rugby Football Club has submitted a planning application (P/2025/2646) seeking permission to construct five padel tennis courts at its site in Dukes Meadows. The proposal, which includes associated amenities such as storage containers, seating areas, and cycle parking, aims to diversify the club’s sporting offer but is likely to raise questions about land use, transport impact, and the use of Metropolitan Open Land.
The application outlines the construction of five enclosed padel courts, each measuring 20x10 metres, with fencing up to 4 metres high and integrated floodlighting. Three containers are proposed to house a reception and pro shop, a food and beverage kiosk, and storage. The courts would operate daily from 7am to 10pm, with extended hours during British Summer Time.
The development would occupy a currently undeveloped mound of grassland situated between existing artificial pitches used by Chiswick RFC and Barnes & Hounslow Hockey Club. The site is not listed nor within a conservation area, though it borders the Mortlake and Grove Park Conservation Areas and lies adjacent to Duke’s Hollow Local Nature Reserve.
Dukes Meadows is designated as Metropolitan Open Land (MOL), a status that affords it protections equivalent to Green Belt. According to the MOL Assessment submitted with the application, the proposed padel courts are considered “not inappropriate development” under paragraph 154(b) of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which allows for outdoor sport facilities provided they preserve openness and do not conflict with MOL purposes.
The assessment argues that the site’s contribution to MOL is currently limited and that the padel courts would enhance recreational value without materially affecting visual or spatial openness. The courts would be nestled between existing sports infrastructure, and mature tree lines would help screen views from surrounding areas.
A Transport Statement accompanying the application highlights the site’s accessibility via active and public transport modes. Although Transport for London’s PTAL rating for the site is officially zero, a manual reassessment suggests a more realistic score of 2, given its proximity to Barnes Bridge Station and several bus routes.
The club proposes no new car parking, relying instead on existing CRFC and council-owned spaces totaling 223 bays. 20 new cycle spaces area planned as well as integration with broader CRFC cycling infrastructure. Trip generation estimates suggest a peak of 43 two-way journeys per hour, with only 17 expected to be by car—many of which are likely to involve car sharing.
The application claims that the scheme aligns with national and regional planning policies that promote inclusive, accessible sport facilities. The London Plan and Hounslow Local Plan both support developments that enhance outdoor recreation, provided they do not compromise biodiversity, openness, or residential amenity.
Chiswick RFC positions the padel courts as a way to broaden its appeal and secure its long-term viability by providing a revenue scheme to support its community rugby activities. Padel, described as the world’s fastest-growing sport, is praised for its accessibility and social nature. With fewer than 900 courts currently in Britain, the club argues that its proposal meets a growing demand.
While the application presents a case for sport-led development, it will likely prompt scrutiny over lighting, noise, and ecological impact—particularly given the site’s proximity to sensitive natural areas. The submitted assessments, including biodiversity, noise, and lighting reports, aim to pre-empt these concerns with mitigation strategies.
For more details about the application or to make a comment, visit Hounslow Council’s planning web pages and search using the reference P/2025/2646.
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