Cheshire East has given the go-ahead for padel courts at Adlington Golf Centre.

The courts will be on part of a former nine-hole course which became unviable after some of the land was purchased for the Poynton Relief Road.

The centre, which opened in 1992 as a driving range, now incorporates an academy course, a pitch and putt course and a graduate course.

It has always operated as a 'pay-and-play' facility and is open to all members of the public without any private membership requirements.

There were no objections to the proposal.

A report from the council's planning officer stated: "The application site lies within the North Cheshire green belt, where the construction of new buildings is generally considered inappropriate development under the NPPF (national planning policy framework).

"However, paragraph 154(b) provides an exception for appropriate facilities for outdoor sport and recreation, provided they preserve openness and do not conflict with green belt purposes."

Adlington Golf Centre (Credit: Google Maps)

The report continues: "The site already accommodates active uses, including adventure golf, footgolf, driving range, which contribute to the existing impact on openness.

"The courts would be located adjacent to other built forms, and views into the site would not be materially altered, especially with proposed landscape enhancements.

"From both a visual and spatial perspective, the development is not considered to harm the openness of the green belt."

The application was approved by an officer under delegated authority, subject to conditions.