Padel courts at hotel approved despite noise and light fears from residents

Yahoo

6 days ago

Plans for the construction of four padel courts at a landmark Ribble Valley hotel have been approved.
The sport, which if a mix of tennis and squash, has seen the number of courts across the UK double in the last year to around 400.
Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK, and Mytton Fold Hotel, near Langho, is aiming to capitalise on the boom.
Residents living close to the hotel raised concerns about light pollution from the floodlights and noise from players and spectators.
Mytton Fold Hotel (Image: Archive) One person also said in a response to the council: "Padel is apparently noisier than tennis, so the noise from padel rackets hitting balls and balls hitting the court walls will be disruptive for local residents.
"As it is a competitive sport there will also be cheering/jeering from the players within the open courts."
Another person told the council the courts were "wholly inappropriate" for a residential area and that development would "change the character and peace of our immediate surroundings."
They said the addition of floodlights "strongly suggests" the courts will be used at what they called "unsociable hours."
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In approving the development, Ribble Valley Borough Council imposed the condition that the courts can only be used between 6am and 10pm, with the lights to be switched off no later than 10.15pm.
The council also said the courts will be restricted to use in association with the hotel, and cannot be used as a separate business.
A design and access statement submitted in March said that provision of padel courts in the borough is low, with the nearest being at the Roefield Leisure Complex in Clitheroe, and then after that in Preston and Lytham.
The scheme includes four outdoor doubles courts constructed to international standards, made with a synthetic turf playing surface.
A stock image of padel rackets (Image: Pixabay) Enclosures will use glass and metal with mesh fencing, which it is said are compliant with safety standards.
Energy-efficient LED floodlights will be installed to allow for play in the evenings and at night, and will be made with directional shielding to minimise light spill and protect the surrounding environment.
There will also be seating areas for players and spectators.
To view the plans in full, visit the council's planning website.