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A new centre for the racquet sport padel could be coming to Caerphilly.

Plans submitted to the county borough council outline how an empty industrial unit at Trecenydd Business Park could be revived as a padel court.

The sport, which combines elements of squash and tennis, is growing in popularity in the UK, with research showing around 400,000 people played padel in 2024.

Planning documents show Elliot Hobbs, from Red Dragon Padel, is behind the new proposals for Caerphilly.

In a supporting statement for his application, Mr Hobbs has proposed transforming the business park’s Unit 12b, which is currently empty, into a single padel court, check-in kiosk, and lounge area.

If the project goes ahead, the court will operate using a booking system, he added.

Originating in Mexico, padel has become a popular sport in Spain and South America, and has also seen an uptick in interest in the UK.

According to Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) figures published last year, the number of people who played padel grew substantially in the previous five years – up from 15,000 in 2019 to 400,000 in 2024.

Tennis Wales and the LTA are also working to increase the sport’s popularity in Wales and are partway through a three-year development plan aimed at getting more people into padel.

The application for Trecenydd Business Park is currently out for consultation, and can be viewed on the Caerphilly County Borough Council website under reference 26/0011/COU.