New padel courts worth £500,000 approved despite 'raucous' concerns

Three padel courts have been approved in Pollokshields despite 79 objections, with people expressing concern over the “raucous” sport.

The Glencairn Drive courts will be located within Titwood Bowling grounds as the club revealed it doesn’t have enough funds to continue.

At a meeting, it was heard that the new £500,000 facility will bring benefits, but local people are worried about noise, traffic and other concerns in the area.

Pointing out that the development has been altered to address concerns, Harvey Moyes, director of Gancho Padel Club, said: “This is a half-million-pound investment in sport in a community that will see the benefits of this for decades to come. I have taken the time to personally read and listen to all the feedback – positive and negative and do our best to make those adjustments.”

Speaking at the council’s planning applications committee yesterday, one local resident said: “Padel brings sharp repeated cracks, bangs and shouting. I find it difficult to accept that three padel courts could operate nearby without affecting my quality of life.

“We are talking about three courts potentially with up to 12 players and 12 cars operating at the same time from 8 in the morning until ten at night seven days a week.

“That is a really significant increase in activity close to people’s homes.”

Another objector, Dr Brian Smith, pointed out that players shouting during games is acknowledged as the source of the loudest noise in the sport.

He added: “It seems wholly inappropriate to introduce in a quiet suburban location designated a conservation area a sport renowned for its raucous nature.”

An acoustic consultant, Adam Walker, appointed by the applicant, Gancho Padel Ltd, said: “Padel may at times be audible, but the overall conclusion is the effect is noticeable but not intrusive”.

He added: “We have included mitigation measures that are pragmatic, proportionate and in keeping with the overall design.”

Titwood Bowling club member secretary Alan Smith said the club owns the footprint of the land in question where the courts are to be installed.

He said: “Our club has insufficient funds to continue – we rely heavily on hiring out the club for private functions and various club community-based activities.”

He said the new sports facility would attract a new audience to the site and help the bowling club’s campaign to grow and be financially secure.

Addressing the committee he warned the club faces having “to close” as it is seeing “some of the toughest times” as membership stagnates.

Councillors sitting on the committee approved the plan after making a visit to the site, which is also home to tennis courts. Councillor Hanif Raja dissented.

Councillor John Daly said: “I believe this to be quite an innovative use of existing land, which will help not only prolong the life of the bowling club but lend itself to an increase in sporting activity in the area. It seems to be an up-and-coming sport.”

He added how he respects the “fear and trepidation” felt by residents but believes “enough mitigation” has been put in place and noise concerns could be addressed by environmental health.

Designs show the courts would feature synthetic surfaces enclosed by three-metre glazed panels and one-metre mesh fencing above.

A new single-storey building would feature changing rooms, showers, toilets and a reception area.