Plans to build two further padel tennis courts at Harrogate Sports & Fitness Club have been resubmitted to North Yorkshire Council.

Padel is a mixture of squash and tennis and played on a court one-third the size of a normal tennis court. It has seen a surge in popularity over the last few years.

Harrogate Sports & Fitness Club, off Hookstone Wood Road, initially submitted plans to build the covered courts last December.

The application also sought approval to expand current parking provision by using a grassed area, to the west of the existing car park, as event parking for up to 80 days of the year.

The plans were recommended for approval in a report by a council officer, but a decision notice was uploaded to the council’s planning portal in August which said the application had been withdrawn.

The original application received 126 comments of mixed responses to the plans.

Those in support referenced the health benefits playing padel can have while the opposed comments stated environmental and traffic concerns.

The new plans for the two courts and additional car parking spaces were resubmitted earlier this month.

The Stary Ferret contacted the Harrogate Sports & Fitness Club to ask why the original plans were withdrawn and why they have now been resubmitted. The club declined to comment.

The centre already has two existing outdoor padel courts, as well as four squash courts and a gym.