Little Stoke padel court plans set for Stone Town Council after strong early support

Plans for two covered padel courts at Little Stoke Cricket Club are due to be discussed by Stone Town Council next week, with early comments on Stafford Borough Council’s planning portal showing clear backing from neighbours and residents.

The proposal, application 26/41668/FUL, is for padel courts with an all weather canopy enclosure and associated landscape works at Little Stoke Cricket Club on Uttoxeter Road. Planning papers say the courts would sit between the bowling green and the cricket practice nets.

Stone Town Council’s Planning Consultative Committee is due to consider the application on Tuesday 7 April 2026. But what stands out before that meeting is the level of support already showing up on the planning portal.

A number of comments focus on the same point, that Stone does not currently have its own nearby padel courts. There is still an outstanding plan to introduce padel courts at Stone Lawn Tennis & Squash Club – so who will be first to bring Padel to Stone?

One supporter of the proposals wrote:

“Fantastic opportunity to provide more sporting and Community based resources for the pepple of Stone, I’m sure this will be a well used facility as many people, myself included have to travel to either Stoke or Stafford.”

Another said:

“Would be great! Currently a lack of courts in the area and find myself having to drive far for a game.

Would be great for the community as is a great inclusive sport for all age groups.”

That same theme comes through again and again in the responses reviewed by ALBOS.

Another resident commented said:

“I live within 10-15 minutes’ walk from the proposed site. I think a padel court will be a useful addition to the local area.

There are no padel courts close by, so this would be really beneficial to the local community.”

Another nearby resident wrote:

“Nothing but good for Stone, bring new people into the town, improved amenities, good for the health of the residents especially younger people.

It’s the fastest growing sport in the UK and at the moment Stone hasn’t the facilities to support this.”

There is also support from people who see it as a natural extension of what Little Stoke already is.

One comment says:

“A real opportunity to bring Padel which is growing in popularity to Stone for all the locals that wish to to access and enjoy.

Little stoke is already a multi sport facility and this will only add to the club.”

A long standing club member made a similar point, writing:

“As a member of Little Stoke Cricket Club for nearly 30 years now I feel this project would add another dimension to what’s on offer at Little Stoke besides Cricket and Crown Green bowling, and would further help to secure the organisations future as well as offering another activity to local people.”

That probably gets closest to why the application is drawing support so early. Little Stoke is already known as a sports site on the edge of town. For people backing the plans, this looks less like a dramatic change and more like an extra strand added to something that is already there.

The consultation period remains open until Monday 20 April 2026, so anyone who wants to support, object or comment on the proposal still has time to do so through Stafford Borough Council’s planning portal. You can use the application number 26/41668/FUL on the planning portal search https://www12.staffordbc.gov.uk/online-applications/.

Stone Town Council’s discussion on Tuesday is part of the process, but the final decision will be made by Stafford Borough Council.