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29
Aug
‘Padel has no place in a residential area,’ say Harrogate objectors to David Lloyd
A residents group has objected to David Lloyd’s applications for padel courts and an outdoor training area at its health club in Harrogate.
David Lloyd has submitted retrospective plans to North Yorkshire Council for the facilities, which are already being used at Oakdale Place.
Diane Andrews, a committee member of Oak Beck Valley Residents Association, raised noise, light pollution and nature concerns at a meeting of Harrogate Town Council's planning committee on Wednesday (August 27).
The association represents 200 residents on Oakdale Glen, Norwood Grove and the surrounding area.
Ms Andrews claimed the club did not understand the impact the facilities were having on residents, whose gardens are within 10 metres of the site. She also said some members had been disrespectful to objectors, even referring to them as “marijuana smokers”.
The Stray Ferret reported this month on David Lloyd’s plans to replace tennis courts with padel courts, including a social area, and a Battle Box, which contains battle ropes, climbing obstacles and other equipment for fitness classes.
An example of a Battle Box in use, uploaded in support of David Lloyd's plans.
Ms Andrews said padel generated more noise than tennis because of the repeated thud of balls rattling the walls and glass screens and the Battle Box classes were accompanied by loud music.
She said residents had already endured months of noise disturbance and had been denied the chance to have their say because the changes had been implemented without planning permission.
Ms Andrews also highlighted that the site borders a protected woodland that is home to bats and owls, which she said were disturbed by lights.
She said:
Padel is a growing and popular sport but has no place in a residential area.
Neighbours have been subject to virtually uninterrupted disturbance particularly during evenings and weekends when they expect peace and quiet.
The leaf blower starts at 6am and the padel courts are in use from 8am to 10pm. The associated floodlighting is often left on all night.
The David Lloyd health club in Harrogate.
Who decides?
Harrogate Town Council's planning committee agreed unanimously to object to the planning applications and recommend North Yorkshire Council insists on additional impact assessments into light, noise and biodiversity be conducted before granting approval.
The council is a statutory consultee in the planning process, which means its views will be taken into account by North Yorkshire Council when it adjudicates on the applications.
Councillor Monika Slater, a Liberal Democrat who represents Bilton Grange and New Park on North Yorkshire Council, has called-in the application, which means it will be determined by elected councillors in Harrogate and Knaresborough rather than by an individual council case officer.
Cllr Slater attended Wednesday's town council meeting and spoke in support of residents. She said the activities took place too close to homes and David Lloyd’s noise assessment was flawed because it took place when Battle Box classes were not taking place. She added:
Padel is much louder and more aggressive than tennis and there is more swearing. I would welcome municipal courts in Harrogate introducing people to the sport, but this location is inappropriate.
A David Lloyd spokesperson previously said:
At David Lloyd Clubs we are committed to making a positive contribution in the communities and environment in which we operate. We work collaboratively with councils to ensure that our plans support the needs of our local communities as well as our members.
We opened our padel courts in December 2023 and they have proved to be very popular with members. However, out of courtesy to our neighbours, we have restricted the use of our padel courts and Battle Box station from 10am to 5pm while we continue our conversations with the North Yorkshire Council.
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