Tennis club seeking permission for Padel courts at Lansdown site

The Lansdown Club in Bath, which has tennis and squash courts as well as croquet facilities, has unveiled plans for Padel courts.

The club’s planning application lodged with Bath & North East Somerset Council says that following a worldwide rapid expansion in the popularity of the sport of Padel tennis, the committee have been asked by the membership to explore the opportunity of providing a facility at Lansdown.

Padel tennis is a racquet sport played on an enclosed court about a third of the size of a tennis court.

The rules are the same as tennis, played with similar balls, although serving is under-arm and the walls, like in squash, are used as part of the game.

The club currently has 11 outdoor tennis courts, four squash courts, a croquet lawn, a clubhouse and large car park.

The plans involve replacing one of the existing tennis courts, Centre Court, with two Padel tennis courts (one competition level) and a mini (juniors) tennis court.

The scheme also includes extending the terrace and replacement floodlighting.

The existing permitted lighting curfews would remain the same as currently approved – Monday to Sunday from 9am to 9pm.

The planning reference is 24/00607/FUL. The deadline for comments is 7th March.