Bath & North East Somerset Council’s proposed improvements at Odd Down Sports Ground in Chelwood Drive have been approved.
Previously revised plans for the Odd Down Sports Ground, which had included padel courts | Image © B&NES Council
The scheme includes a new pedestrian access to the pavilion, an extension to house a gym and an associated outdoor training area, and a re-organisation of the car park.
The 3G pitch floodlights will be replaced with LED lights and there will be further lighting on the existing rugby pitch.
The scheme also includes a nature trail with landscaping and play provision, along with a cycle paddock and mini cycle track.
The proposals drew more than 30 comments of support and seven of objection.
Among the concerns was that the proposed lighting lux levels are too high, the outdoor gym will be noisy, that some trees had been removed and that not all the proposals are funded.
Some objectors also said that padel tennis courts should not be included at the site at a later date.
Local authority planning officers said that padel tennis provision had been refused under a previous planning application at the site.
They said that there has been consultation on a potential new location and scheme for padel tennis at the sports ground and that any future application would be assessed on its own merits.
Padel is similar to squash but played with a solid racquet. It has boomed in popularity since lockdown but there is currently nowhere to play it in Bath. Lansdown Tennis Club applied for permission for two padel courts in 2024 but the planning committee said the “gunfire-like” noise of the game would be harmful to neighbours’ mental health and refused permission. A planning inspector backed that decision.
In their assessment of the Odd Down Sports Ground proposals, the planners said that overall, the design of the extension is reflective of the character of the existing pavilion and the proposals will preserve the character of the conservation area.
Given the existing use of the site as a sports ground, the proposed outdoor gym is not likely to cause additional noise and disturbance that would cause significant harm to neighbours.
The new lighting is said to have extremely low lux levels.
A row of trees at the front of site had previously been removed due to ash dieback. The scheme’s landscaping plan includes 99 new trees.
The officers also said that the proposed overspill parking had been removed from the scheme and access and parking arrangements are acceptable.
Regarding concern that some areas of the project are not funded, the officers said: “This is not a planning matter for consideration.”
