Plans to construct the first padel courts near Bath have sparked concern in the tranquil village of Bathampton, as the sport gains popularity but local residents worry about potential noise disruption.
The Bath & North East Somerset Council’s planning committee has twice rejected applications for padel courts within Bath itself, citing worries that the sharp, repetitive noise produced during games resembles “gunfire” and could negatively impact neighbours’ mental well-being.
Now, Smash Padel has submitted a proposal to build five outdoor courts on the disused former railway station site at Bathampton, situated on the edge of the city. However, villagers have raised objections over the absence of a noise impact assessment in the application, underscoring the contrast between the anticipated activity and the village’s quiet, conservation-area character.
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Local residents voiced concerns to Somerset Live, highlighting that noise has consistently been a decisive factor in planning refusals. They emphasized how the village’s peaceful setting and surrounding topography make noise a particularly sensitive issue, and called the lack of a thorough noise evaluation “a significant omission.”
Smash Padel’s plan includes five courts and a single-storey pavilion constructed from shipping containers. The site, which closed as a railway station in 1966 and later served as a timber yard, is now described as disused and deteriorating.
The company stressed the growing demand for quality padel facilities in the Bath area, noting that local elite athletes currently travel long distances, including to Smash Padel’s venue in Bicester, to access high-level coaching. They argue that new courts would fill a significant void for both casual and competitive players.
Padel is a fast-growing racket sport, similar to squash but played with a solid bat, that has surged in popularity since the Covid-19 lockdown. Despite this growth, Bath has yet to approve any padel courts, with existing proposals repeatedly blocked due to noise-related objections.
Notably, the council’s own plan to include padel courts at Odd Down Sports Ground was halted in 2024 by its planning committee, which compared the noise to “Chinese water torture” for nearby residents. Similarly, Lansdown Tennis Club’s attempt to build courts was denied after complaints about the “gunfire-like” sound, a decision later upheld on appeal.
In addition to the Bathampton proposal, the University of Bath is considering adding two padel courts as part of a large student accommodation project currently under review.
As the debate continues, residents and planners are weighing the benefits of introducing a popular sport against the challenge of preserving the character and peace of Bathampton village.