Residents raise noise concerns over plans for new padel courts in Rawmarsh
Over 100 residents have sent in their opposition to the application.
Plans for three new padel courts on a cricket pitch in Rawmarsh facing objections from locals due to noise levels.
The application is for the courts to be installed at Upper Haugh Cricket Club on Harding Avenue in Rawmarsh.
Applicants are seeking permission to install three enclosed padel tennis courts with sound mitigation barriers and floodlighting, along with the relocation of existing cricket nets.
The sound barriers are proposed to try and reduce sound level disturbance at the southern end of the site.
The site is related to land close to the junction with Harding Avenue and Wentworth Road, and is positioned away from the main residential areas to the south and west.
Operating times proposed are between 8am to 9pm throughout the week.
Over 115 objections from residents have been received, mainly due to due noise concerns.
Some objections include:
- The padel courts would create significant adverse noise impacts for nearby residents, particularly those on Gower Way and Wentworth Road.
- Noise will be significantly different to that of cricket, where noise is seasonal, intermittent and familiar
- Suggesting that noise levels would be high enough to disrupt residents’ use of gardens for relaxation, and force residents to keep windows and doors closed, preventing natural ventilation
- It would result in a reduction in quality of life
- With currently limited parking available, the additional volumes of cars will cause extra traffic
The applicants have argued that there are misunderstandings over padel noise, saying they overstate potential disturbances.
Letters in support have also suggested that the new facility would be useful for young people, with Rawmarsh currently deficient in sport facilities.
The ratio of objections to support is reportedly broadly 50:50, though the report stated that ‘objections are generally more detailed than those in support’.
The application is set to be considered by the council’s Planning Board due to the number of objections received, and will be decided at its meeting on June 25.