Golf club told to remove unauthorised padel courts

A golf club could be forced to demolish newly-built padel courts after retrospective planning permission was refused.

Hamptworth Golf and Country Club had already built indoor and outdoor padel courts before applying to the New Forest National Park Authority for permission.

Planning officers said the development was "detrimental and harmful" to the protected landscape, while nearby residents raised concerns about noise and light pollution.

The club said the new facilities were needed to help secure its long-term future.

Padel, which has seen a surge in popularity in the UK in recent years, is a fast-paced racket sport that blends tennis and squash.

Work on the courts began in June last year and included a 37m-wide indoor building, four outdoor courts and 6.2m-high floodlights.

In a decision notice published after the plans were refused on 15 May, planning officers said the development was "visually intrusive" and harmed the National Park's "character and tranquillity".

Six letters objecting to the plans were submitted, with residents also raising concerns about flooding and impacts on protected bat species.

The authority said people using the courts could be heard from homes more than 140m away.

Landford Parish Council also objected, arguing the development did not need to be located in the countryside and would harm the special qualities of the National Park.

The club said the facilities were important to its long-term viability, adding it employed 24 people and acted as a local amenity, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

In planning documents, the club said "significant weight" should be given to supporting economic growth for an established business "aiming to improve and evolve with modern needs".

The golf club, which is still advertising the courts on its website, has six mnths to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

If an appeal is unsuccessful, or no appeal is lodged, an enforcement notice issued in February could require all the structures linked to the development to be removed.