Plans to install two padel courts at a sports club in a York village have been refused.
City of York Council planning officers refused an application to install two courts at Dunnington Sports Club, in Common Road.
The club’s application stated it would allow them to offer a wider range of sports and make better use of an under-utilised area.
But objectors claimed noise from the courts would disturb people playing and watching bowls nearby and posed a potential injury hazard to cricketers.
Council planning officers ruled the new courts did not justify the loss of land for existing playing fields and the relocation of existing football and cricket pitches.
They also decided the benefits of the development did not outweight the loss of green belt land.
Padel is played on an enclosed court about a third of the size those used for tennis with balls played off glass walls similar to squash.
The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), the sports governing body, stated it is easy to learn and sociable, contributing to its growing popularity.
The club’s plans proposed building two courts at the centre of the club site which would be fitted with daylight and time-controlled LED lighting.
Plans stated the lights would be switched off after 10pm.
The club stated the plans would also allow their main football pitch to be moved to an under-used part of their site.
It would free up space for the courts and for extra parking spaces, according to the plans.
Plans stated: “Padel is a very fast growing sport both in the UK and across the world and provides a sport that can be played by and appeals to a wide range of users, with everyone welcome from entry level to advanced players.”
The plans were supported by Dunnington Parish Council though they asked for further clarity on the adequacy of the proposed parking spaces.
The LTA also supported the plans but called on the club to ensure the courts were available on a pay-to-play basis.
But Sports England, the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Football Foundation also objected over changes to existing pitches at the club.
Three local objections were lodged while bowling, cricket and football clubs who use existing facilities on the site claiming they were not consulted beforehand.
They claimed the football pitches were required and already in short supply.
One objector said: “The location of a padel court in such close proximity to the main football pitch is madness.”
Others claimed noise would travel from the courts and disturb those watching and playing lawns bowls, a vibrant and accessible global sport open to all ages.
There was also an objection claiming cricketers fielding near the courts were at risk of injury and the new courts would affect the visual enjoyment of those watching cricket.
