Residents object to plans for new park padel courts

ALMOST 20 objections have been lodged after a planning application was submitted to place padel courts in a park as part of a sports trial.

- BY YASMIN AL-NAJAR

The multi-use games area in Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall, is to become padel courts temporarily in May to allow the community to give the sport a try.

PadelParcs has submitted a planning application to Rossendale Council to put a 21 square-metre cabin next to the multi-use games area at the park to serve as a clubhouse for the court.

There are 17 objections listed on Rossendale Council's website so far which cite concerns over the noise of the padel being disruptive to other park users and people living close by.

People have also objected on the grounds the noise from the padel would distress the many dogs that walk in the park each day.

Padel tennis, which originates from Mexico, is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and is a hybrid of tennis and squash.

The proposed hours of operation are Monday to Sunday 7am until 10pm, including bank holidays.