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A new padel court can be opened in Caerphilly, council planners have agreed.

The racquet sport combines elements of tennis and squash and has grown in popularity in recent years.

Researchers found around 400,000 people played padel across the UK in 2024.

The man behind the new proposals is Elliot Hobbs, from Red Dragon Padel, who plans to convert an empty industrial unit at Trecenydd Business Park.

The unit will feature a padel court, check-in kiosk and lounge area – and players will book sessions using an online system.

In a report, Caerphilly County Borough Council planning officers said national guidance leaned towards leisure services being located in town or city centres, but accepted exceptions could be made where “suitable alternatives” are available.

The proposed padel court would require larger premises of a type most consistently found at business parks and industrial estates, they added.

The planners also acknowledged that Trecenydd Business Park has diversified to contain “a range of other uses” since it opened.

They granted planning permission subject to several conditions, including limiting the premises to use for padel rather than for general sports or leisure.

The officers have also restricted the opening hours of the new venture from 6am to 9.30pm on weekdays and from 9am to 4pm on weekends.