BIG plans for a new padel tennis court in Poole are set to be approved.
Planning officers at BCP Council have recommended Poole-based Cross Court Padel’s proposals on the old Creekmoor park and ride site should be approved.
Councillors must now decide whether to grant planning permission or not at a meeting on October 10, scheduled for the committee because the plans are on council-owned land.
Case officer Babatunde Aregbesola the council has received 72 letters of support for the scheme and zero objections.
Chiefly residents believe the padel courts will help keep people fit and active while also being a “great” asset for the community, Babatunde said.
He added: “The scheme would provide economic benefits during construction and promote healthy living among residents within the district and also result in social benefits for the same reason.
“It would not result in material harm to the character and appearance of the area of the wider area. It would have acceptable impacts on neighbouring living conditions.
“Conditions can be secured to address other aspects of development, making it policy compliant.”
Cross Court Padel has asked for temporary three-year consent to run the business from the empty land off the A35.
Babatunde said this would be acceptable, and that it would not compromise any “realistic timescale of a strategic transport scheme on the site”.
He added: “The renewal or extension of this permission can be considered before that three-year date expiry date and at that time, subject to further consideration of any strategic transport proposals for the site.”
Drawing inspiration from Spain, the padel courts could be joining just 450 other courts in the UK – compared to more than 20,000 in Spain.
In August, West Hants Sports Club was given permission to build two new padel tennis courts in the place of its existing tennis court.
The club, based in Roslin Road South, Talbot Woods, since 1926, is also looking to capitalise on what is a growing sport in the UK.
Last used as a Covid-19 test site in April 2022, Creekmoor park and ride has been untouched since with the exception of anti-trespass measures including boulders and mounds of dirt being installed at the entrances in early 2023.
Councillors will have a final say on the proposals at a meeting in Bournemouth Annexe in St Stephen’s Road on October 10.
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