Dunkertons Cider has applied for planning permission to change the use of an agricultural building on its site.

The business has applied to Cheltenham Borough Council to turn the barn at Dowdeswell Park on London Road into a padel centre, including pedestrian access and a new footbridge to access the centre from Dunkertons Park.

Owned by Dunkertons, Dowdeswell Park, is made up of offices, storage facilities, retail and a cidery, as well as a large area for food and drink, provided by a variety of small local businesses.

In the statement of community involvement to support the planning application, agent SF Planning wrote: "The popularity of the space as a social and recreational venue has led the operating company to explore how to grow and further diversify this site's offerings."

The building is in a field north of the popular Dunkertons Park site, on the opposite side of the River Chelt.

In the planning statement, SF Planning wrote: "Although constructed not that long ago [only six months ago] for agriculture and used for that purpose since it was completed, a change in circumstance means the barn is no longer required for agriculture. An alternative use is therefore required to make beneficial use of it and recoup some of the investment put into the building."

The statement continued: "This centre will provide further and alternative recreational opportunities at Dowdeswell Park and a community asset for the wider area; creating jobs, benefitting the economy in many different ways, creating new opportunities for participation in sport and recreation, and the health, social and other benefits connected to that."

The proposed centre will include four indoor padel courts, with a reception area, small shop with kit hire facilities, break out areas and changing rooms/ toilets. A small mezzanine level will allow people to watch games or coaching sessions, and could be used for group gatherings/ training.

Glazed entrance doors and a selection of small windows are the only external changes proposed to the building, together with some external escape stairs, the pedestrian access/ bridge and cycle parking. Non illuminated signs will be applied directly to the building.

There will be no vehicle access to the site. Car parking will be available at Dowdeswell Park if needed.

In an online survey about the plans by Dunkertons Cider, 1,199 people voted in favour of the proposal, representing around 81% of those who voted.

In support of the application, Sarah Horrocks, the founder and CEO of Palair Sport and co-founder of Padelaid, wrote: "What makes the Dunkertons initiative so attractive is that it is not a standalone padel facility, where so much rests on the successful running of the club to make the centre successful. They have a ready-made diverse community and are able to offer the community a wellbeing option to their already thriving set up."

The proposed courts will also be available for students of Balcarras School. Court access for PE lessons and after school/ extracurricular activities will be provided weekly basis, so the whole school will benefit from the facility over time.

If it gets the go-ahead, the centre will open 7am until 11pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays. It will initially create three full-time and two part-time jobs.

The planning statement concluded: "This proposal provides an opportunity to offer exciting new facilities for visitors of Dowdeswell Park, for a sport/ pastime that is experiencing huge growth locally and nationally."