Plans have been submitted for a new padel facility at Uppingham Community College - a development which could bring one of the UK's fastest-growing sports to the heart of Rutland.

The planning application, submitted to Rutland County Council by Discovery Schools Academies Trust, proposes the creation of 10 covered padel courts alongside associated landscaping, parking and supporting infrastructure at the school's London Road site.

If approved, the facility would provide year-round opportunities for students and the wider community to access the rapidly growing sport.

Padel - a fast-paced, social racket sport combining elements of tennis and squash - has seen explosive growth across the UK, with demand for courts far outstripping supply in many areas.

The proposals aim to bring accessible padel facilities to Rutland while creating new opportunities for physical activity, community participation and grassroots sport.

The new facility would support curriculum PE lessons, extracurricular sport and community bookings outside school hours through a managed access system.

David Anderson, Headteacher at Uppingham Community College, said: "This exciting plan would provide an outstanding sporting facility to complement the wide range of activities already offered through our PE curriculum. Padel reflects our school values as an accessible and inclusive sport that can be enjoyed by people of all abilities and experience levels.

"Through participating in the sport, students have the opportunity to learn new skills while developing teamwork, communication and social confidence, all while embracing our sporting values of Head, Heart and Hands.

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"As a proud community college, we are also pleased this new facility would further strengthen our links with the local area by welcoming residents from Uppingham and the surrounding villages to enjoy the courts during evenings and weekends."

Wayne Allsopp, Business Development Manager at Discovery Schools Academies Trust, said: "Padel is transforming participation sport across the country because it is accessible, inclusive and genuinely fun for people of all ages and abilities.

"This proposal is about creating new opportunities for young people and the wider community to access a modern sporting facility while supporting participation, wellbeing and active lifestyles.

"We believe this development has the potential to become a valuable community asset for both the school and the wider area."

Planning documents submitted with the application state that the proposal would "significantly enhance the quality, range and accessibility of sports facilities available to both the school and the wider community".

The covered design has been developed to minimise noise, reduce light spill and limit visual impact, while the scheme also includes additional parking and landscaping improvements.

The proposals would also retain existing community sporting provision on site, with existing pitch arrangements reconfigured rather than removed.

Engagement with existing users of the site formed part of the early exploration of the project and will continue throughout the planning process.

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Subject to planning approval, construction could potentially take place in 2027, with the facility opening from Spring 2027.