Councillors give thumbs-up to proposed padel tennis courts

A PADEL “centre of excellence” which could host international competitions is set to be built in Sevenoaks district.

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The indoor complex, the size of half a football pitch, has been granted planning permission for land at Polhill Garden Centre, north of Sevenoaks.

It will house six courts, plus a clubhouse, meeting rooms, a gym and children's play area, and there will also be community gardens and a learn-to-ride cycle track outside.

Sevenoaks District Council officers had recommended the plans be thrown out, due in part to the “harm” they would cause to the green belt and the National Landscape.

But councillors were won over by the benefits of the new facility, for which they were told there was high demand. They concluded the 'very special circumstances' required to allow development in the green belt did exist.