Fears residents could be disturbed by gunshot-like noises if courts for a rapidly-growing sport are built at a York club have led to plans being blocked.
Plans which would have seen four padel courts built at York Sports Club, in Shipton Road, Clifton, have been refused by City of York Council.
The club’s application stated the facilities would cater to a significant increase in demand for padel in York.
But five objections were lodged including some claiming people living nearby could be forced to relocate over the detrimental impact of noise on an otherwise peaceful environment.
Plans for the courts would see them built in the western corner of the sports club’s grounds.
The courts would be covered by green fabric canopies and feature ball strike netting.
Welfare facilities including a changing space, coffee lounge, shop and offices would also be built while eight tables with seats would be installed outside.
They would have been open from 7am to 10pm, Monday to Saturday and from 8am to 9pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
Padel is played on an enclosed court about a third of the size those 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).
The governing body of the sport stated it is easy to learn and sociable, contributing to its growing popularity.
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 their noise assessments showed there would be no adverse impact from the development.
Plans stated: “Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in this country.
“There are no outstanding issues that would mitigate against planning permission being granted for the development, and significant health and wellbeing benefits will flow from its provision and use.”
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.
One objecting resident said: “We enjoy the variety of wildlife the natural grassland around here encourages and cannot believe that having floodlights on seven days a week and the gunshot sound of the padel racquet and ball all day every day will not 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.”
Council planning officers ruled noise from the courts on neighbours and the development’s impact on nearby protected trees would be unacceptable.
