Controversial proposals for padel courts in Sutton Coldfield tennis venue approved

Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club in Highbridge Road recently lodged plans to install three new covered padel courts, each 10 metres by 20 metres, to replace one existing lawn tennis court.

Padel is a fast-growing racket sport, played in an enclosed court and often described as a cross between tennis and squash.

There were also proposals to ‘reconfigure’ two other tennis courts at the club, effectively turning them 90 degrees, as part of the application.

The new padel courts, which are set to be used daily from 8am to 9pm, have proved divisive in the area however, with a recently-published council report saying objections had been received over noise concerns.

Some worried local residents claimed that padel is “significantly louder than tennis”, with the report saying it was compared to “gunshots” in the media.

Liz Williams, a paid consultant acting for residents living on nearby Birmingham Road and Goldieslie Close, urged the council’s planning committee to refuse the plans at a meeting last week.

“We’re not against padel, we’re against overdevelopment,” she said. “We would remind members here that it’s the electorate that vote you in – not the applicant here who is a business.

“Although we wish to support businesses, this is too much – it has to stop. We would urge you to reject it please.”

But a speaker representing the tennis club told the committee that the proposals seek to ensure the club can “continue and thrive through widening its appeal”.

“The objectors’ main focus is on the potential noise impact,” he continued. “Computer modelling software has been used in the noise reports – it shows that even with all three padel courts in use, noise levels would be within national guidelines.”

He continued there were also plans to include 2.5m-high acoustic fencing along the eastern boundary “to further minimise any impact”.

“This proposal will provide a more varied leisure offer at the club and assist with its viability, promoting health and wellbeing,” the speaker added.

The council report also confirmed that the “level and character” of the noise from use of the padel tennis courts “would cause no greater impact” than the sites’ existing use.

“There would be no significant adverse impact on the amenity of neighbours, highway and pedestrian safety,” it concluded.

More than 100 letters of support were received from residents too, with some locals arguing that padel is a fast growing sport and there is “insufficient provision” of padel facilities within the north Birmingham area.

They also said the expansion of padel facilities would enhance the viability and long-term future of the tennis club.

The Lawn Tennis Association supported the application while Sutton Town Council raised no objection.

The proposals were ultimately approved, subject to a legal agreement, following a vote among the planning committee.

On the sides of the padel courts, there will be an ‘enclosure’ of 4m-high toughened glass while a single canopy structure 10.5m in height will be over all three courts.