By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Proposals have been granted to create two new padel courts in Formby, to meet huge local demand for “the UK’s fastest growing sport” .
Having access to the new courts will be warmly welcomed by players at Formby Village Sports Club, on Rosemary Lane in Formby, after the huge popularity of the existing court.
The facility will be supported by new floodlighting.
Approval was given for the first padel court in March last year, and it has been a huge success.
An application submitted by PadelTech on behalf of the Club said: “The successful implementation of that padel court and high demand for its use has led to this subsequent application.
“Since the first padel court was installed and opened in July 2024, the membership at Formby Village Sports Club has grown from 400 to 600.
“In addition, there is a current waiting list of 750 for padel membership alone.
“Padel is widely acknowledged to be the UK’s fastest growing sport.
“The proposal to add a further two padel courts at Formby Village Sports Club is to satisfy burgeoning growing demand.
“National & Local Planning Policy encourages sustainable development and the more efficient use of land. It recognises that opportunities for sport and recreation can make an important contribution to the health and well-being of local communities.
“Since the first padel court opened in July, there have been no complaints received by the club or council regarding noise.”
Formby Village Sports Club comprises a single storey clubhouse, a crown green bowling pitch, four artificial grass tennis courts and a recently completed outdoor padel court, positioned in the northwest quadrant of the overall site.
The site is currently vacant grassland with no previous use and extends to 964 sqm (0.096 ha).
The proposed opening hours of the two additional courts will be in keeping with the existing hours of use of the club from 8am to 10pm weekdays, weekends and Bank Holidays.
Parking for the proposed padel courts will be provided by existing on-site arrangements shared with Holy Trinity Church together with the adjoining Cloisters public car park with 170 spaces. Public transport is also readily available within walking distance of the club on Chapel Lane.
What is Padel?
PadelTech said: “Occasionally referred to as Padel Tennis, Padel is an extremely sociable sport, easy to play and learn unlike all other racket sports such as tennis, squash or badminton.
“It is always played as doubles on a court which is purposely designed to have a transparent structure, by combining wire mesh and glass.
“Padel is played over a net using carbon fibre bats / rackets and a tennis ball. The shorter racket handles make the game easier to learn for beginners hence its wider appeal than traditional racket sports.
“The rules are broadly the same as tennis, with the glass panel walls used as part of the game, with the ball allowed to bounce off them, like squash.
“The reduced court size and ability to play off the walls also enables players with reduced mobility to participate as there is less court space to cover.
“It is played in groups of mixed ages and abilities.
“The growth of padel in the UK is set to grow from 500 courts to at least 10,000 over the next ten years, according to the Lawn Tennis Association.”
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