Cascades car park rooftop could become home to 12 Padel courts
The plans include changing facilities, reception, cafe and seating for visitors.
The rooftop of a Portsmouth shopping centre carpark could be transformed into a 12-court padel venue, complete with a cafe and social spaces, under new proposals which have been unveiled.
Plans to install the padel courts on top of the Cascades have been submitted to city planners which would see 11 outdoor courts built on the roof of the multi-storey car park, alongside a further indoor court within the building’s existing atrium.
A planning application has been submitted to Portsmouth City Council by agents CarneySweeney on behalf of Portsmouth Cascades Padel Limited – alongside developer Padel Tree.
According to planning documents, the scheme would bring “new sporting activity to underutilised areas” of the existing car park, making use of both the rooftop and covered atrium.
The outdoor courts would be built across the car park roof top, which would be surrounded by steel frames, glass panels and protective netting, while still allowing views across the city.
The plans also include a reception building, cafe, toilets and changing rooms, including an accessible toilet. Visitors would use the car park’s existing lifts to reach the rooftop.
The reception would be the main place for visitors to check in, get information and hire equipment. A covered walkway would stretch from the reception towards the cafe, with seating where players could meet, wait between games or watch matches.
The cafe and reception buildings would have matching designs, “creating two uniform anchor points at either ends of the canopy”.
The indoor court would be built inside the building’s central atrium, beneath its existing glass roof. Planning documents describe it as “a central and distinctive playing environment”.
The design would use materials including corrugated and perforated metal, exposed steel frames and translucent panels.
Seating areas would also be provided alongside the outdoor courts, giving visitors somewhere to relax, socialise and watch games.
Padel tree is described as “UK-based developer and operator of high-quality padel facilities, focused on delivering accessible, well-designed venues that encourage participation, community engagement, and active lifestyles.
“Each Padel Tree project is tailored to its setting, with an emphasis on creating welcoming environments that extend beyond the courts themselves.”
Residents can view and comment on the application on the council’s website using the reference 26/01074/FUL.