West Hants Club in Bournemouth could get new tennis courts

West Hants Club in Talbot Woods is looking to replace its single tennis court with two new padel tennis courts on its grounds. 

The club, based in Roslin Road South since 1926, is looking to capitalise on what is a growing sport in the UK – already popular on the continent. 

According to BCP Council, 53 residents in the area have said they don’t want two new courts at the club, chiefly over claims of “unacceptable noise nuisance” caused by the rackets. 

West Hants Club in Roslin Road South, Talbot Woods (Image: Daily Echo)

Talbot Woods resident Robert McManus claimed the club house next to the courts would be used to hit balls against. 

He said: “This would serve as a solid brick wall thus reflecting and accentuating sound generated by the proposed development of the two courts.” 

Vanessa Dobson added: “The noise levels will be totally anti-social to the local residence and to the members who will be unable to sit outside in the summer and enjoy a drink.” 

Alison Parkes lamented the “barrage of disruption” from the existing tennis court that she has to endure when working from home. 

She said: “Both our upstairs bedroom and downstairs office, where I work from home, are on the side of the current court and during the summer we cannot have our windows open due to the constant barrage of disruption and noise which starts very early in the morning till 10pm at night.” 

But while some don’t want it, 70 people have written to BCP Council to say they do, the authority said. 

West Parley resident Rachel Lambert said: “This could be a great asset to the community, anything that can provide an opportunity to get fit can only be a good thing. 

“I would welcome this as a location for this ever-growing sport.” 

One existing tennis court could be replaced with two padel tennis courts

Kate Shaw added: “I think this will be a very positive addition to the club and its community.  [It will] help to encourage lots more people to take up the sport and keep fit too.” 

BCP planning officer Piotr Kulik has recommended the two new courts be given planning permission when it goes to a committee next week on the condition games stop at 9pm and acoustic fences are installed. 

He said: “Overall, officers consider that the applicant has provided assurances to the local authority that the noise impact on residents will be acceptable.  

“If the courts do indeed result in a noise nuisance, then there are still powers to act against a statutory noise nuisance.  

“The environmental health officer confirmed that does not have the evidence to support the allegations raised by the objectors that the courts will result in an adverse impact on local residents based on the submitted noise reports.”