Bath and North East Somerset Council has unveiled revised plans for the development of Bath’s first padel courts at Odd Down Sports Ground, following the rejection of their original proposal by the council’s own planning committee.
The initial scheme, which included four padel courts alongside a major refurbishment of the sports ground and a new state-of-the-art gym, was blocked last June due to concerns over noise. One councillor described the potential racket from the courts as being akin to “Chinese water torture” for local residents, highlighting worries about the impact on neighboring homes.
Padel, a fast-growing sport combining elements of squash played with solid racquets, surged in popularity after the Covid-19 lockdown but currently has no facilities in Bath. Lansdown Tennis Club also faced rejection last August for its application to build two padel courts, with the planning committee citing “gunfire-like” noise disruptive enough to harm neighbors’ mental wellbeing. The club is now appealing this decision.
READ MORE: Maps Reveal UK’s Top Areas for University Attendance
READ MORE: Glastonbury Festival Weather Forecast: Met Office Predicts Possible Heatwave and Unsettled Conditions
In response, the council’s fresh proposal scales back the number of padel courts to three and situates them further away from residential properties to mitigate noise issues. The comprehensive plan still includes significant upgrades: a new gym, an external training area, LED floodlights for the 3G pitch, and a mini cycle track designed to teach children traffic safety. Additional tree planting will replace recently felled ash trees, alongside upgrades to the reception area and parking facilities.
To gather public feedback, the council will host a drop-in session on Friday, June 20, from 12 pm to 7 pm at the Odd Down Sports Ground pavilion. Additionally, an online consultation will remain open until June 26, with a formal planning application expected later this year.
Council cabinet member Alison Born emphasized the council’s commitment to revising the plans based on community input, saying, “We have worked hard to develop revised plans that will enhance the fitness and wellbeing facilities and offer users a new modern fit-for-purpose sports centre. Feedback from the previous engagement activity has fed into these proposals, and I would encourage as many people as possible to visit the exhibition or add their comments to the online survey.”