David Lloyd has announced use of its Harrogate courts will be paused temporarily.

The news comes after North Yorkshire Council last month refused retrospective plans for two padel courts, which were already in use, at the Oakdale Place site.

The council felt the noise assessment submitted in support of the plans did not “sufficiently account for the impacts created by the padel courts”, and that suitable mitigation had not been put in place to protect local wildlife.

The company told the Stray Ferret at the time it was "working closely with the local authority and our consultants to understand the next steps" and in the meantime it was “continuing operations as usual”.

Nearby residents that objected to the noise questioned how the courts were still able to operate in the absence of planning permission.

A month on, the Stray Ferret asked David Lloyd if it planned to appeal the council’s decision.

The company did not disclose whether it will do so but revealed padel will be halted at the Harrogate site from October 31:

The council also refused retrospective plans for a BattleBox facility – an outdoor workout area – at the site.

The Stray Ferret asked David Lloyd if it would appeal the BattleBox refusal, but it did not respond to that part of our enquiry. 

Planning history

The application to convert two existing tennis courts into two padel courts, which opened in December 2023, proved divisive, receiving 63 objections and 45 comments of support.

Supporters felt the courts would lead to improved physical and mental wellbeing, and encouraged people to spend time in the fresh air.

They added the padel courts would combat obesity, stress and social isolation, boost the local economy, and offer families and friends the chance to play sport together.

But the padel courts have continued to be a bone of contention for nearby residents, some of whom likened the sound of balls being hit to gunshots.

Harrogate Town Council said its objection to the padel courts was based on “significant community impact due to excessive noise, lack of public consultation and failure to integrate with the residential setting”.

Objectors claimed the padel courts led to a “loss of the peaceful enjoyment of homes and gardens”, as they were “forced to close their windows to relax”.

The concerns continued after the plans were refused when members of the Oak Beck Valley Residents’ Association said the sport is “notoriously noisy” with “rifle-like cracks from the racquet volleys”.

Patrick Fitzgerald, chairman of the residents’ association, previously told the Stray Ferret:

The complaints were put to North Yorkshire Council, which recently told the Stray Ferret it “will not hesitate” to take enforcement action against the company should it be required.