A proposal for new padel tennis courts on an underused sports area has been put in for Bannatyne Health Club & Spa.
The Bannatyne Group wants to build the two courts with floodlighting and fencing at the health club on Myton Road, Ingleby Barwick. It intends to convert a multi-purpose games area (MUGA), mostly used for football but receiving falling numbers of bookings, into a court for padel, a fast-growing racquet sport which combines elements of tennis and squash using smaller, softer balls.
The group says it has found “general support” for the proposals following consultation, with no issues raised to the proposed design or land use. A planning statement from agent Planning Resolution says the existing floodlit five-a-side football pitch and tennis court, dating from 1999, is “dated and underutilised”.
It proposes two padel tennis courts with synthetic playing surfaces and a strengthened glass wall part way around the outside, covered by a “robust and versatile” fabric canopy.
“The Bannatyne Group has undertaken this development in response to the drop in bookings and use of the five-a-side MUGA over recent years and desire to offer an alternative sport activity that meets members’ needs,” says the statement.
“Originally popular in Spain and other European countries, the sport has gained momentum as more people discover its fun accessible nature. The game appeals to a wide range of ages and skill levels due to its relatively simple rules and lower impact compared to other racquet sports.
“The number of padel courts and clubs in the UK is very low compared to its European competitors but is starting to rapidly expand especially in urban areas with private clubs, leisure centres, and sports facilities offering courts for play. Padel growth is also fuelled by its social aspect as it is typically played in doubles fostering community engagement.”
The Bannatyne Health Club and Spa in Ingleby Barwick
The applicant says the new facilities, to be supplied by a “leading high-end court provider” are intended for club members without the need for extra car parking and are “designed to complement the existing club building”. It adds: “The setting out of the courts and proposals have been discussed with the neighbouring nursery management and they have raised no issue to the design or proposed land use.
“The design of the courts has been carefully considered and enhanced with the introduction of a players’ seating area at the front of the courts, with new planting and trees to create a softer and more attractive outlook for members and the public alike.
“The development is in an underused and ageing part of the site and the proposals visually enhance this part of the Bannatyne health, fitness and spa facility. The development is sympathetic with the appearance and character of the local environment, and appropriate inscale, design, materials, and siting.
“The facilities are visually attractive and align with the high-quality aesthetics of the existing Bannatyne health, fitness and spa facility, crucially, providing a development which will diversify health and recreational facilities at the club.”
‘A social experience’
The group says the new courts will create “no adverse impacts”, saying: “The noise emanating from the padel courts is anticipated as being less than the existing noise emanating from the five-a-side football pitch.
“The development diversifies and enhances the club’s offering an alternative, new sporting activity for existing members to the site through the proposed improvements. The facilities are of a scale and design that are sympathetic and subordinate to that of the existing buildings.
“As the proposed alternative use changes from one floodlit leisure use to another – but with modern reduced and directional lighting, there is not considered to be any lighting impact.”
Duncan Bannatyne, chairman and chief executive of the Bannatyne Group, said: “Our investment in the padel courts at Ingleby Barwick is a testament to our ongoing commitment to enhancing our member experience and providing diverse, innovative sporting opportunities. Padel is not just a game, it’s a social experience, and we are thrilled to introduce this sport, which is growing in popularity all the time, to our communities.”
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