Residents of an upmarket neighbourhood in Poole, Dorset, are celebrating after a millionaire's bid to install a flood-lit padel court in his back garden was refused by BCP Council. IT entrepreneur Paul Woods, 52, had sought permission to build the court at his £4 million home in the Branksome Park Conservation Area, but neighbours raised concerns over noise and visual intrusion.
The proposed court would have been surrounded by 14ft steel mesh fencing and tempered glass, with four 20ft floodlights. Locals feared the 'piercing' sound of balls hitting solid rackets would shatter the peace of the sylvan suburb. Planning officer Emma Woods ruled that the development would erode the 'spacious, verdant and sylvan character' of the conservation area, describing it as 'overly urbanised and visually intrusive'.
Local councillor Gavin Wright, who was approached by several residents, said: 'I wouldn't want to live next to a padel court because they are incredibly noisy. Padel is a great game but it has to be in the right place such as a tennis club, not in a residential area.' One neighbour simply stated: 'I am pleased it has been refused, that is good news and the right decision.'
Padel, the world's fastest-growing sport with over 25 million players, uses solid rackets that produce a loud noise when striking the ball. Despite several letters of support for the application, the council's conservation officer found the court a 'particularly harmful element'. A spokesperson for Mr Woods' architects said they would discuss the option of appealing the decision.
