A public consultation has been launched over ambitious plans for a swimming pool, spa and padel courts at a country club.

The owners of Greetham Valley Golf and Country Club submitted the proposals to Rutland County Council last summer – and the public are now being asked for their views ahead of a final ruling on the development.

The sprawling site was bought in 2024 by The Club Company and the firm wants to bring Greetham Valley in line with its 17 other country clubs by combining golf with other leisure facilities.

But the scheme would see the loss of the bowling green and function suite – which would make way for a gym and padel courts.

A single-storey extension to the back of the building would house a 20-metre swimming pool.

The development would create the equivalent of 16 full-time jobs with lifeguard, maintenance, instructor and receptionist roles up for grabs.

In its planning application to Rutland County Council, the company said: "The business model for golf clubs has fundamentally changed over recent years. At the time of the 1990s boom in golf course construction, golf clubs could be financially viable solely on the basis of membership subscriptions.

"However, club membership numbers throughout the country have fallen steadily over the last 20 years. The modern reality is that many clubs cannot survive unless they offer a range of attractions and activities in the face of increased competition from other leisure providers."

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The Club Company says the bowling green is currently only used once a week for four months of the year.

However, council officers are currently locked in negotiations with planning agents over the scheme's overall impact on biodiversity and whether The Club Company would be required to pay a developer contribution to the local authority.

Padel is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and combines elements of tennis and squash. 

It is played on a smaller court with glass walls and is usually played in doubles. Players use solid racquets to hit a smaller, softer ball over the net but can also bounce it off the walls.

Plans this month were also submitted for two courts at Rutland Water Golf Club.

The Woolfox Golf and Country Club already has padel courts in place, while in December, proposals for two new courts at Burghley Park Golf Club, near Stamford, were approved.

Greetham Valley's current facilities include two 18-hole golf courses, a 9-hole course, a function suite, conference rooms, 25 hotel bedrooms and eight self-catering lodges.

Greetham Parish Council has stated it has no objections to the application but requested the new amenities be made available to the wider public – rather than just members.

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The consultation started on January 22 and will people have until February 5 to submit their views.

Click here for the consultation.