New padel courts at Shirley cricket club get go-ahead despite concerns 'there could be a racket'
A Shirley cricket club has been given permission to build new padel and pickleball courts despite noise concerns. The noise issues were debated at a Solihull Council planning meeting where a decision on the scheme was made.
Pure Padel Clubs Ltd, supported by NJL Consulting, originally applied for permission in July. The Streetsbrook Road-based club applied to create three covered padel courts and an uncovered pickleball court which can be used in the summer months.
Padel is a racquet sport which uses the same scoring system as lawn tennis, but is played on a court around a third of the size smaller. Pickleball, one of the fastest growing sports in America, is similar to padel but uses a different type of ball and a smaller court.
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At the Solihull Council meeting neighbour Mr Grant, who said his garden backed onto the cricket club, said: “I understand the club has to generate income to survive, and obviously appreciate there are obvious advantages to socialising and exercising. I’ve heard some worrying reports about the effects of both paddle and pickleball causing major disturbances which on occasions have resulted in people resolving problems through the courts.”
He said news articles had also raised issues such as the bats being solid, unlike a tennis racquet, and the balls used making more noise than tennis balls. “The sound has been likened to like a gun shot occupied by shouting and swearing - much more so than tennis,” the resident said.
Oliver Eves, from the consulting firm, described it as an “exciting” application which would enhance recreational activities in the borough. “The location is ideal utilising an underused parcel of land without affecting existing sports activities,” he said.
Mr Eves added noise levels would be at acceptable levels having a "negligible" impact on neighbours. In the members debate Councillor Edward Fitter said: “Paddle is a growing, excellent sport.
“From experience it is incredibly noisy - I do have concerns about the noise.” Councillor Bob Grinsell, chairman of the committee, said: “I live within 20 metres of a hockey pitch.
“A very hard hockey ball hitting a wooden frame at extremely fast speed makes a noise like a bullet.” But planning officer Becky Stevens explained that the uncovered court - the closest to neighbours - was a total distance of 69 metres away.
And Councillor Dave Pinwell said: “It is a long way from any properties and there are some fairly big trees, as well as cricket nets. I’m not overly concerned (about noise).”
The chairman suggested adding a condition that lights would be automated to switch off at 10pm. Because regrettably someone will forget (and leave them on),” he added.
Committee members agreed to this condition being added. When the vote was taken committee members unanimously approved the application, subject to conditions.
The meeting was held at the Civic Suite on January 8.