'Noisy' padel courts withdrawn from plans

Padel, which originated in Mexico, has become increasingly popular in recent years

Padel courts have been removed from plans for a major extension and refurbishment of a sports ground.

Bath and North East Somerset Council's original plans for the Odd Down Sports Ground in Bath were turned down by its own planning committee over concern about the noise of the four planned padel courts.

One councillor had said the noise of the racquet sport would be like "Chinese water torture" for the neighbours.

A revised planning application, including a gym, mini cycle track and improved lighting for the 3G pitch - but no padel courts - is now awaiting a decision.

The planning application, submitted in September, said a separate application for padel courts may still be submitted at a later date.

There are no padel courts anywhere in Bath because the council has refused to grant planning permission for any - even when it is the council itself proposing the plans.

Padel is a sport similar to squash but plated with a solid racquet. Originally from Mexico, it has boomed in popularity since the Covid-19 lockdown and is one of the fastest growing sports.

But padel enthusiasts in Bath have to travel to Bristol or Corsham to play their sport.

'Seriously annoying'

Some 60 members of the Lansdown Tennis Club make regular trips to Bristol to play but when the club applied for planning permission for two padel courts last year, the planning committee said the "gunfire-like" noise of the game would harm neighbours' mental health and turned the plans down.

One councillor warned the noise would be close to meeting the World Health Organisation definition of "seriously annoying".

The club appealed but the Planning Inspectorate said the council had made the right decision.

Planning inspector Andrew Boughton said the sport had "noisier volleys and a faster cadence of ball impact compared to lawn tennis", and that neighbours would be sensitive to even a minor change in noise levels.