Plans to include padel courts in the major refurbishment of Odd Down Sports Ground in Bath have been dropped following concerns over noise disturbance. The initial proposal, which featured four padel courts, was rejected by Bath and North East Somerset Council’s planning committee. One councillor described the potential noise as akin to “Chinese water torture” for nearby residents.
A revised planning application, expected to be decided this month, will focus on extending the pavilion to include a gym, installing a mini cycle track, and upgrading lighting for the 3G pitch—but notably, it excludes the padel courts.
The council’s September submission explained: “We are concerned that resolving the padel matter may delay this process. We have therefore elected to withdraw the padel from this application. It is the intention that a separate application will be lodged for the addition of padel on the site in due course.”
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Despite the growing popularity of padel—a sport similar to squash but played with a solid racquet—Bath remains without local courts. The council has consistently refused planning permission for padel facilities, even for its own projects, treating its applications as it would any other.
Padel enthusiasts must travel to nearby cities like Bristol or Corsham to play. Lansdown Tennis Club, with 60 members regularly making this trip, has faced rejection of its own application for two courts. Critics cited the “gunfire-like” noise as detrimental to neighbours’ mental health, describing it as “seriously annoying” by World Health Organization standards.
An appeal upheld the council’s decision. Planning inspector Andrew Boughton noted that padel involves “noisier volleys and a faster cadence of ball impact compared to lawn tennis,” and that local residents would be highly sensitive to even slight increases in noise.