Fears over racket from tennis club padel plan

The East Anglia Tennis and Squash Club, in Norwich, already had planning permission for two padel courts

Neighbours have opposed plans for a new padel court at a tennis club because of fears over noise, with one warning it could cause "psychological harm".

The East Anglia Tennis and Squash Club, in Norwich, wants planning permission to transform a tennis court into one where the increasingly popular sport can be played.

People living nearby have objected, with concerns the game – which uses solid racquets – will be louder than tennis.

A report for the city council's planning committee tells them that padel "is generally noisier", but advises them to approve the proposals.

The club already has permission to build two other padel courts, which was granted last year.

With more than 30 million padel players worldwide, the sport appears to be booming

Invented in Mexico in 1969 as a mixture of tennis and squash, padel has been growing rapidly in popularity in the UK.

According to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), there are about 800 padel courts in Britain and more than 400,000 players.

Eleven objections have been lodged with Norwich City Council, mostly focussed on the potential for noise from the club in Lime Tree Road.

"The residents will have to put up with the unpleasant noise of padel potentially every day for the rest of their lives - or move," wrote one objector who urged councillors to consider the "psychological harm to residents."

'Adequate respite'

But five people offered support, with one explaining the sport "provides a great way for people to boost their physical and mental health".

Local independent councillor Karen Davis said she asked the planning committee to discuss the proposals after being contacted by residents.

A report by council officers explains "padel is generally a noisier sport than tennis, due to the fact the ball can be played off a glass wall".

However, they also say they believe the "proposal would not result in an unacceptable impact" on people in the area.

The authority's environmental protection team leader Sally Nicholson said she had no objection, but recommended a "noise management plan" should be in place, along with a complaints process for neighbours.

"The court hours of opening should be more limited than the existing tennis court, to provide the residents with adequate respite," she added.

The planning committee is due to meet next week.