Golf centre pulls the plug on plans to build padel courts at popular Sheffield venue
A well known Sheffield golf venue has pulled the plug on controversial plans to build padel courts on its site.
Moorview Golf Centre, Bradway Road, popularly known as Bradway driving range, looked set to become the city’s latest venue for the growing sport of Padel.
However bosses at the venue, which has provided a place for people to practice their golf for decades, have now ditched their plans after compaints from neighbours and concerns from Sheffield Council planning officials.
A planning design and access statement which forms part of the application, by consultants DLP Planning, stated: “The site is currently an operational golf driving range and associated function space, and the proposed padel courts represent a diversification of sporting provision at the centre.
“This will not impact the golfing operations and has been proposed on vacant land within the site boundary.”
The scheme would have seen four padel courts created, with a roof over them, although they would still be open air.
It described padel as a sport which had seen a rapid growth in popularity within the last few years with an estimated 30 million players worldwide (as of September 2024).
Concerns had been raised over car parking but the statement said overflow parking could be provided if needed.
The scheme attracted 19 letters of objection to the council, complaining about noise going on into the night, with plans to open until 10pm, as well as concerns over the lights from the floodlights.
They also raised concerns it would create road safety issues through more traffic.
A Sheffield Council planning officer report stated: “The application was withdrawn prior to completion of the report.”
They said issues raised within the assessment would have led to a refusal based on the current proposal.