Farm campsite on South Downs Way to get padel court

The scheme is set to transform an existing grain store at Housedean Farm, situated between Falmer and Lewes, into an indoor leisure space.

The application sought permission for the change of use to offer a single indoor padel court.

Padel is a fast-growing racket sport, a mix of tennis and squash, played in doubles on a smaller, enclosed court with walls that are part of the game.

The entrance to Housedean Farm from the A27 (Image: Google)

The proposal, which was submitted to South Downs National Park Authority, is part of a wider diversification strategy for Housedean Farm.

The farm currently operates as both a functioning agricultural site and a campsite, located on the South Downs Way walking route.

The development will contribute to the site’s established tourism and visitor accommodation offers, the application said, providing an extra amenity for local residents and visitors.

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Housedean Farm currently offers a seasonal campsite, wellness suite, and converted holiday let.

The approved padel court is set to operate daily from between 9am and 11pm. Alongside site visitors, members of the public will also be able to use it by appointment.

The new padel court will be enclosed entirely within the existing structure of the grain store, with the building’s exterior and hardstanding areas remaining unchanged.

Parking facilities will be provided on the current hardstanding outside the grain store building, separate from ongoing farm operations.

An example of an indoor padel court (Image: Samson Ssemakadde)

The farm’s main operations will remain unaffected by the proposal, as stated in the planning application.

The application reads: "There is no loss of functional farm use as a result of this proposal.

"The proposal however does ensure the longevity of the farm as a sustainable business to create diverse revenue streams and spread risk."

The barn which the padel court will be built in (Image: Housedean Farm)

The applicant also said: "Farming is an inherently risky business which is reliant on the fluctuating costs of fuel, seed, fertiliser etc; the fluctuating value of crops when they are sold, and indeed the impacts of weather and a changing climate on yields of crops.

"By insuring an additional income stream the applicant is ensuring the longer term success of the farm business."

The plans were approved on February 13.

The farm is on the South Downs Way (Image: Google)

Planning officers wrote: "The proposed use of the barn as a padel court will intensify the commercial use of the site and support the economy of the farm and the surrounding area - providing jobs and contributing to the resilience of Housedean Farm.

"Such diversification should galvanise the tourism and visitor offer, which includes a fitness/wellness suite and holiday accommodation, but at a scale that would not presently compromise the ongoing viability of the wider agricultural enterprise."

The plans can be viewed using the reference SDNP/25/04590/FUL.