'Our local padel courts sound like rifle fire'

Neighbours Patrick and Diane say their area in Harrogate was "quiet and peaceful" before padel courts were installed nearby

A council has said it is considering enforcement action after residents complained about noise from outdoor padel courts near their homes.

People living near David Lloyd's Harrogate gym said they had suffered noise pollution since the courts were constructed in December 2023.

A retrospective planning application was refused by North Yorkshire Council, but padel has continued to be played, which has "ruined" some neighbours' lives, according to the local residents' association.

David Lloyd Clubs said it was working with the council and had placed a voluntary restriction on the operational hours of the facility.

Patrick Fitzgerald, who chairs the Oak Beck Valley Residents' Association, said it was a "very quiet and peaceful" area before the padel courts were set up.

One of his neighbours, Diane Andrews, agreed: "I've got a dog and I take the dog for a walk.

"One day the dog just shot off. I think she thought there was a firecracker going off or something."

Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, thanks to its basic skill level and social nature.

The racquet sport is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court where balls can be played off the walls.

Retired surveyor Mr Fitzgerald, 77, said the sport created sounds like "rifle-fire shots".

"Especially if they're good players because they get the sweet spot, although there are quite a few novices at the moment because it's such a new sport," he added.

"As their skill levels improve so will the noise levels from their racquet."

Bob Wilkinson's balcony is less than 150ft (46m) from the padel courts

The noise of the sport was not the only problem highlighted by Bob Wilkinson, whose balcony and garden are less than 150ft (46m) from the padel courts.

"We've got screaming, laughing, swearing, everything," he said.

"Before seven o'clock on a Sunday morning, the leaf blower strikes up once the leaves are falling. A petrol-driven leaf blower."

Mr Wilkinson, 76, said the noise had been "constant" all summer, and had continued into the autumn.

"The leaves are cutting down some of the noise at the moment. It's even worse in winter.

"It just destroys the whole of your peaceful life here."

Ms Andrews, 68, said: "Some of the residents have said it's like being in the middle of a noisy pub.

"The higher up you go, the more it echoes down the valley."

Planning officers recommended that the application be refused, partly due to the protected woodland next door

Mr Fitzgerald said bats and owls living in the woodland next door to David Lloyd's site had been "disturbed", partly because of flood lighting used for the padel courts until 22:00.

"They don't know when to feed, things like that," he said.

"The sport's great. We're not against the sport, it's just if they want it here it should be in a building."

The impact on the woodland was also highlighted by planning officers, although the council's ecologist said there was not enough evidence to assess the impact on a potential bat population.

An investigation was started by North Yorkshire Council's environmental protection and planning enforcement teams following complaints about "alleged noise nuisance" earlier this year.

The authority's corporate director of environment, Karl Battersby, said: "It was considered the noise was at an unacceptable level.

"A noise abatement notice has since been served which requires the business to stop or reduce the noise to an appropriate level, while planning enforcement are continuing to consider appropriate action.

"This is a live case that we are actively working on, and we will continue to liaise with residents and managers at David Lloyd to reach a swift and positive resolution.

"We will not hesitate to take further enforcement action if it is required."

A spokesperson for David Lloyd Clubs said the company was "committed to making a positive contribution in the communities and environment in which we operate".

"We continue to work collaboratively with North Yorkshire Council and have put in place a voluntary restriction on the operational hours of both our padel and Battlebox facilities whilst this matter is reviewed," they said.

"We are also undertaking a period of noise assessment at the padel courts."

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