PLANS to turn the old Creekmoor park and ride site into a padel tennis court has won the favour of councillors.  

Poole-based Cross Court Padel has been given the greenlight to go ahead with its plans, which will see seven courts, changing rooms, a reception, shop and small café built on the disused land. 

Built in 2003, the site has been a park and ride, a temporary fire station and a Covid testing facility before it was eventually left untouched in April 2022. 

Hamworthy councillor Peter Cooper hinted he wanted the site to remain a park and ride at a planning committee meeting on October 10. 

He said: “We need to manage the traffic. I’ve got a meeting with Sunseeker about how we can encourage staff to use bicycles and walk [to work] and Lush. 

Padel tennis court CGIPadel tennis court CGI (Image: AJC Architectural Services)

“We need to be working on that, what are the repercussions of just leaving that site or regenerating it as a park and ride?” 

Western planning committee chair Marion Le Poidevin said the padel tennis court would effectively “fill in the gap” if it was decided to bring in a park and ride in the future. 

She said: “If the park and ride was to be brought back as a park and ride – which as an aside I hope it is – it would be unlikely able to be used as a park and ride until approximately three years from now.” 

Since it was closed in April 2022, the site was a hotspot for traveller break-ins before security measures were later put in place.  

Cllr Le Poidevin added: “Assuming the land is going to be used as a park and ride, it would basically take about three years to get all the consents and the finances in place to open it.” 

Moordown councillor Kate Salmon said she was concerned that by putting a building on the site, it would “lean towards” remaining there despite planning consent being given for three years. 

Matt Allen, chartered town planner at Pure Town Planning, on behalf of the applicant, said: “Padel tennis is the fastest growing sport in the UK; it’s innovative, fun, flexible and it’s played in groups, mixed ages and abilities. 

“You don’t need to be powerful or strong, it's less technical than tennis meaning it’s ideal for families and friends to learn and play together.” 

He added: “Given the highly accessible location of this site, the operators will reach out to local schools, clubs, youth groups and other local stakeholders to make sure local young people will receive the utmost benefit.”