Another padel tennis approval !
- TP Editorial Team
- Jun 26
- 3 min read
We were very pleased to have received unanimous approval from Birmingham City Council’s Planning Committee for new padel courts at Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club.
Tennis has been played on the Sutton Coldfield Tennis Club site since 1922 when it had only 4 courts and a pavilion. In subsequent years, the playing facilities and club house have been significantly extended to include more tennis courts, squash courts and a gym. There are now 12 tennis courts including four indoor courts. The latest project will provide additional padel tennis courts, bringing the total number of padel courts at the Club to four. The Club’s proposal includes the installation of 3 floodlit covered padel tennis courts in place of 1 lawn tennis court and the repositioning of 2no. existing courts and the introduction of a Tweener® lighting system in place of more traditional floodlights.
Padel tennis is renowned as one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It is derived from lawn tennis and has been played globally since the 1960s. Padel is typically played in doubles on an enclosed court a third the size of a tennis court. Scoring is similar to traditional tennis and the ball is similar but with a little less pressure. The main difference is that the court has a surrounding enclosure that the ball can be played off, in a similar way as in the game of squash, using specially designed paddles. All ages and abilities can play together.
Tyler Parkes provided all planning and architectural consultancy on the proposal, bringing in other technical consultees to support the project, including Sharps Redmore (acoustic consultants) and Red Kite (ecologists). The planning officer provided a balanced and objective report recommending approval of this exciting proposal. None of the statutory consultees had any objections and Sutton Coldfield Council raised no objection. The Lawn Tennis Association supported the application. During the processing of the application, numerous representations were received, however 70% of respondents were in support. Notwithstanding, the Club are also proposing to erect new 2.5m high acoustic fence along the eastern boundary with the properties in Birmingham Road to further minimise any noise, although after comprehensive investigation, the Council’s Regulatory Services officer considered this is not necessary to make the proposal acceptable.
The approval aligns with the Lawn Tennis Association’s strategy for padel in Britain, which proposes to open padel up to more people across the country, with an ambition to grow the sport by making it more accessible, welcoming, enjoyable and inspiringhttps://www.ltapadel.org.uk/news/lta-announces-new-padel-strategy/
As the Planning Officer’s report to Planning Committee concluded, the padel proposal accords with Birmingham’s Development Plan, will provide a more varied leisure offer at the Club, promote health and wellbeing, and there will be no significant adverse impact on the amenity of neighbours, highway and pedestrian safety. The scheme was also considered acceptable in terms of sustainability and ecology matters, with improved biodiversity to be secured by detailed plans and a legal agreement.
This is the latest approval secured by Tyler Parkes for a padel project in the West Midlands, others include courts at Solihull Arden Club and Four Oaks Tennis Club.
Please contact Gail Collins on 0121 744 5511 if you would like to discuss your padel project.
Comments