Padel is a cross between squash and tennis

THE craze for playing padel has led to the owner of one of the boroughs biggest brownfield sites to form a new centre for the sport, writes Dan Carrier.

Padel – the racquet-based game which is a cross between squash and tennis  – has taken off and is one of the UK’s fastest growing sports.

Now the owners of Murphy’s Yard in  Kentish Town hope to set up a temporary eight court padel centre on land earmarked for new homes and businesses.

The family owned construction company, which has been in Kentish Town for more than five decades, put redevelopment plans on hold two years ago after facing opposition to a scheme which would have seen tower blocks for housing on the former construction depot.

Now, with their development arm Folgate Estates, it has unveiled plans to build the padel centre while more long term designs are drawn up.

Folgate formed a partnership with operator the Padel Social Club and say new courts could be accessed via Greenwood Place and Highgate Road.

It said it will apply to Camden by the end of the month for the temporary use permission.

In a letter to residents living nearby, they added: “The courts will welcome everybody, from seasoned padel players to people just starting out.

“If the change of use application is granted, Kentish Town will become home to a high-quality Padel centre.”