Wimbledon winner's former tennis club rips up courts for padel
Tunbridge Wells Lawn Tennis Club (TWLTC), where Virginia Wade once won the ladies' club championship, has faced a backlash after lodging an application to build three padel courts.
The Kent club has 21 tennis courts – eight grass, nine artificial clay and four tarmac. But the plans would see two replaced with the padel courts.
Locals have raised concerns about the impact the courts would have on 'the club's beautiful surroundings', comparing the sound of padel players to 'gunshots'.
One resident, Charlotte Lawson, said: 'Noise levels will be loud causing significant disturbance to residents and members from early in the morning to late at night with the sound described as constant 'gunshots' producing an average noise level of 60 decibels each time the ball hits the glass walls of the courts or solid plastic racquets.'
She warned that the tennis players' concentration and enjoyment will be 'significantly compromised.'
The local also expressed concerns over traffic, parking and light pollution, as the padel courts would be open seven days a week - between 7am and 10pm on weekdays and 8am to 8pm on weekends.
The club, founded in 1898, consisted of a cricket pitch, athletic track, football ground, six tennis courts and some croquet pitches.
One of its most famous members, Virginia Wade, was the winner of the Club Closed Ladies' Singles title and went on to win Wimbledon in 1977.
Commenting on the controversy herself, Wade told The Telegraph: 'I guess you have to go with the flow and current fad. As long as tennis survives. It [padel] seems to be having some strength in the UK. With today's rackets, it's a much easier game to start.'
Stephen Hutt, a member and local resident, added: 'My peaceful residence will have the sound of constant 'gun' shots ricocheting around.'
He expressed worry for his family dog who 'is petrified of bangs and requires anxiety medication around bonfire night and cannot go on country walks when there is any form of audible shooting.
'This proposal will make her and our enjoyment of our garden untenable it will have a devastating impact on our life.'
However, not all locals are opposed.
Resident Susan Bourne wrote: 'We fully support this planning application. The nearest place currently to play padel is Tonbridge.'
She added that the new courts would 'reduce the use of cars and general traffic in and out of the town aiding the council's environmental initiatives'.
The design and access statement submitted to the council states there is a 'clear gap in the market' in the town due to the popularity of tennis.
Tunbridge Wells Borough Council will decide on the application at a later date.
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