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25
Sept
Resident questions why David Lloyd padel courts are still being used despite planning refusal
A resident has questioned why two padel courts are still being used at a Harrogate leisure centre despite being refused planning permission.
The Stray Ferret revealed on Monday (September 22) David Lloyd’s retrospective application to replace a tennis court with two padel courts had been rejected.
North Yorkshire Council also rejected the company’s retrospective plans for a Battle Box – an outdoor workout area – at the Oakdale Place site.
The padel courts have been in use since December 2023 and, whilst the plans received 45 comments of support, they proved unpopular with some nearby residents, mainly due to the noise.
A council report said residents had endured “loss of the peaceful enjoyment of homes and gardens” and were forced to “close their windows to relax” due to the noise.
Others likened the sound of padel balls being hit to “gunshots”.
Diane Andrews, who lives near the site, told the Stray Ferret:
We have had to suffer this for the last couple of years, mostly during the hot summer. Residents haven’t been able to enjoy their gardens or anything as it’s a very invasive noise.
Ms Andrews is a committee member of Oak Beck Valley Residents’ Association, which represents 200 residents on Oakdale Glen, Norwood Grove and the surrounding area.
Speaking on behalf of the committee, Ms Andrews last month told Harrogate Town Council’s planning committee the padel courts generated more noise than tennis due to the sound of balls bouncing off walls. She added the Battle Box classes were accompanied by loud music.
An example of a traditional padel court, uploaded in support of the plans.
When she spoke to the Stray Ferret on Monday (September 22), she said she was voicing her personal views, not those of the association.
Ms Andrews added:
I don’t think David Lloyd understands the residential area and all the repercussions.
Padel courts need to be looked at because there aren’t enough guidelines, if they were looked at then this wouldn’t happen.
A David Lloyd spokesperson previously told the Stray Ferret it would be "working closely with the local authority and our consultants to understand the next steps" but in the meantime the site will “continue operations as usual” despite the planning refusal.
But Ms Andrews said:
A few of the residents have realised they are still playing on the padel courts, and we don’t think they should because it was refused.
David Lloyd response
The Stray Ferret put Ms Andrews' concerns to David Lloyd.
A spokesperson yesterday (September 24) said:
We greatly value being part of the Harrogate community and are fully committed to ensuring our activities do not cause disruption.
North Yorkshire Council said the noise assessment submitted in support of the plans “is not considered to sufficiently account for the impacts created by the padel courts”.
It also cited the residents who have been “negatively impacted” by the noise levels generated from the padel courts.
The council added:
Suitable mitigation measures have not been put in place to ensure the protected species have been sufficiently safeguarded during the continued operation of the retrospective development.
In a decision notice refusing the Battle Box facility, the council added nearby residents have been “negatively impacted” by noise generated by repeated use of gym equipment and “raised voices from instructors associated with the high-intensity outdoor workout facility”.
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