Plans to create four padel tennis courts, café space and an outdoor seating area at St. Peters Recreation Ground have been submitted to Thanet council.
Off The Wall Padel wants to house the courts and café on land which is within the existing fenced in tennis court enclosure which is currently overgrown.
Planning documents drawn up by del Renzio & del Renzio on say: “The proposed development has been carefully designed to provide a high-quality and distinctive sporting facility that both complements and enhances the existing recreational character of the wider site.
“The four padel courts are set within simple, robust enclosures of black steel framing with black mesh and clear glass walls, creating a crisp and modern aesthetic that reflects international standards for the sport.”
The site will include spectator areas formed as landscaped grass banks and a single-storey café and WC/store units using modified shipping containers with sedum roofs, cladding and graphic finishes.
The café’s open servery hatch and seating area will be centred around a new cherry tree and sustainable features will include rainwater harvesting.
Broadstairs & St Peters Lawn Tennis Club will sub-lease the former grass courts, subject to planning consent and agreed conditions, to applicant Off The Wall Padel.
Off The Wall Padel will operate and manage the courts and café.
Planning documents say: “The proposed development provides four floodlit outdoor padel tennis courts in addition to their current provision of six outdoor floodlit synthetic clay tennis courts south of the application site, itself used previously as three grass tennis courts until the desire for clay courts prevailed.
“Under the (operator’s) direction and with operational support from Infinity Tennis current tennis sessions take place between 8am–10pm seven days a week. Padel sessions will take place 8am-8pm seven days a week. The club provides coaching, court bookings to members, tournaments and competitions.
“The introduction of four padel tennis courts at the club will deliver clear community, sporting, health and economic benefits.
“Padel is an inclusive, accessible sport suitable for all ages and abilities, encouraging greater participation in physical activity and complementing the existing traditional tennis on offer at the club. Beyond the physical health benefits, the strong social aspect of the game can reduce loneliness and social isolation, bringing together both younger and older participants in a welcoming, doubles based format.
“The design of the facility and programming of activities will also provide opportunities tailored to those with disabilities and older age groups, ensuring that participation is genuinely inclusive.”
It is anticipated that the presence of more players, families and visitors at the site, particularly during evenings and weekends, will help deter anti-social behaviour that continues to be experienced within the recreation ground and surrounding area.
Noise mitigation measures will include an acoustic membrane barrier.
The plans can be found on Thanet council’s planning portal, reference F/TH/25/0971.
It’s always encouraging to hear when Thanet gains a new sporting facility. Developments like these are vital, arguably more so than additional housing. Sport plays a key role in bringing people together and fostering a healthier, happier community!