Super-sized padel warehouse causes planning row

Telegraph

4 days ago

A planning row has broken out over a super-sized padel centre that locals fear will create a 'tremendous noise'.
A warehouse unit surrounded by residential streets in Christchurch in Dorset has been earmarked for the giant venue for one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK.
But neighbours claim the centre would cause huge traffic problems and noise pollution for those living in the area.
Padel is a cross between tennis and squash which has grown in popularity in recent years, with celebrities including Annabel Croft and Michael McIntyre among its fans.
Unlike in tennis, a padel racket is solid with no strings and is thicker – meaning it makes a very loud noise when striking the ball.
As a result, padel has also gained a reputation as a particularly noisy and disruptive sport.
Some 25 people have objected since the plans were submitted by company Advantage Padel to the local council.
The new centre will have nine full-size courts, as well as four singles courts, which would mean up to 44 people could play at the same time.
It would be open from 7am to 10pm, seven days a week, which residents say would give 'no respite' to anyone affected by the business.
Mark Anderson said: 'Padel tennis is very loud and multiple courts being used all times of day and evening will be very disruptive. I feel that this facility will add a lot of noise in the area.'
Julia Gladstone said: 'This facility will result in a huge increase in the volume of traffic entering and exiting a small complex of business units.
'The centre will be open from early morning to late evening and will create a high level of noise which will effect local residents and have a negative impact on their use of the garden for relaxation.
'The increase in both noise and air pollution that will be caused by the introduction of such a large facility cannot be ignored.'
Concerns were also raised that the new centre would push out a much smaller padel business just 350 yards away.
The PicklePad, the UK's first dedicated pickleball and padel indoor centre, opened in January just around the corner from where Advantage Padel want to put its new centre.
Padel has the same scoring system as tennis, but different rules, strokes and techniques.
It was invented in Mexico in the 1960s, but soared in popularity during the Covid pandemic as it could be played outside and did not involve physical contact.
By 2023 there were more than 25 million active players across 90 countries.
In the UK, the Lawn Tennis Association said the number of courts had increased from 50 in 2019 to 350, and it aims to have 1,000 courts by the end of next year.