Game on! Club's plans to install padel courts given the green light

Plans for new padel tennis courts at a South Tyneside sports club have been given the green light.

- by Chris Binding

South Tyneside Council's planning department has approved an application for South Shields Sports Club, also known as Westoe Lawn Tennis Club, off Dean Road in South Shields.

Padel Project UK Ltd lodged a planning bid this year for "five illuminated padel courts" for padel tennis, a type of tennis played with specialist balls and rackets in a small enclosed court, where walls are part of the court and can be used in play.

Those behind the scheme said the padel tennis courts would be installed on "hard courts not utilized to the north of the site" where caravans are based, and that padel tennis would be offered to children and adults.

The planning application sought permission for padel tennis courts including "playing cages, secondary two-metre high mesh security fence" and an "ancillary cabin structure".

The proposed cabin aimed to provide reception, storage, changing and welfare facilities for both the users of the padel courts and the scheme's caretaker, planning documents state.

It was noted that adults would be able to attend "day and evening classes and social sessions Monday-Sunday", while children would be offered "after-school classes, holiday camps and access via schools."