Padel courts proposal rejected over noise fears

Plans for padel courts to be be built at a sports club have been blocked amid residents' concerns they could be disturbed by "gunshot" noises from the game.

City of York Council refused the proposal by York Sports Club to create four padel courts at the facility on Shipton Road, Clifton.

The application stated the facilities would cater to a significant increase in demand for padel in York, but objections lodged by people living nearby said the noise could force them to relocate.

One resident said "having floodlights on seven days a week and the gunshot sound of the padel racket" would "discourage the birds and animals we share this location with".

"Our background sound for the most part of the day is birdsong, not people shouting and the smashing of balls against a hard racquet or a glass wall," they added.

Padel is played on an enclosed court about a third of the size that used for tennis.

Balls are also played off glass walls surrounding the courts in a similar way to squash, according to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

Plans for the courts would have see them located in the western corner of the sports club's grounds, with outdoor seating available.

The courts would be covered by green fabric canopies with ball strike netting, and facilities including a changing space, coffee lounge, shop and offices would also be built.

Opening times were proposed from 07:00 to 22:00 GMT, Monday to Saturday and from 08:00 to 21:00 on Sundays and bank holidays, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A total of 14 comments in support of the plans for the York courts were lodged with the council, with the LTA among those backing the proposals.

Sport England initially objected over concerns about balls hitting people and vehicles in a nearby car park, but later withdrew their opposition.

The club's plans stated the courts would offer a valued extension to the range of sports they already offer.

They added noise assessments showed there would be no adverse impact from the development and provide "significant health and wellbeing benefits".

But objectors, including residents and Clifton Without Parish Council, said the courts should instead be put in a built-up area rather than close to their homes.

An alternative noise impact assessment commissioned by an objector found levels would be above Sport England guideline levels.

Council planning officers ruled noise from the courts on neighbours and the development's impact on nearby protected trees would be unacceptable.

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