Padel sports centre at Plumpton Racecourse, Ashurst Lane, Plumpton

What was proposed

The application proposed changing an existing driver training school into an enclosed padel sports centre with associated facilities and infrastructure.

“1 Executive Summary 1.1 This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of an existing driver training school at Plumpton Racecourse to a purpose-built indoor padel sports centre. The facility would operate between 09:00 and 22:00 daily and is expected to create approximately 12 jobs.”

“The amended scheme comprises an enclosed facility containing six padel courts, spectator seating, office and storage space, acoustic mitigation measures, landscaping and associated infrastructure. External padel courts were removed during the application process.”

Officer report

The site

The site is previously developed land within the wider racecourse complex, outside the settlement boundary and served by existing access and parking.

“3 Site Description 3.1 The application site is located at Plumpton Racecourse on the western side of Ashurst Lane in Plumpton.”

“The site forms part of the wider racecourse complex and comprises an area of previously developed land currently occupied by a driver training school together with associated hardstanding, vehicle storage areas and ancillary infrastructure. The site lies outside the defined settlement boundary and is therefore located within the countryside for planning policy purposes. Access is obtained from the established racecourse access serving the wider complex off Ashurst Lane.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would reuse and diversify an existing commercial site while providing sporting, community and economic benefits.

“In overall terms, the proposal would deliver sporting, recreational, community and economic benefits through the reuse and diversification of an existing commercial site within the established racecourse complex. Whilst concerns have been raised by local residents, specialist consultees have concluded that the identified impacts can be satisfactorily mitigated and controlled through planning conditions.”

“When balancing the benefits of the proposal against the identified impacts, it is considered that the proposal represents sustainable development which accords with the National Planning Policy Framework, Core Policies CP4, CP5, CP10, CP11, CP12, CP13 and CP14 of the Lewes District Local Plan Part 1 and Policies DM11, DM23, DM24 and DM25 of the Lewes District Local Plan Part 2.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The parish council supported the application, while consultees raised no objections or recommended approval subject to conditions.

“6 Consultations Plumpton Parish Council - 6.1 Resolved to support the application.”

“ESCC Ecology 6.7 Comments received sought clarification regarding the relationship between the site boundary. Further information was provided by the applicant to resolve this query. Subsequent consultation response recommended approval, subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What residents said

Representations included support for the sports facility and objections concerning noise, lighting, traffic, parking, amenity, ecology and visual impact.

“Objectors raise concerns regarding noise, lighting, traffic generation, race day parking, residential amenity, ecology, impacts on horses and livestock, visual impact, countryside location and the loss of the existing driver training use.”

“Technical Report and Lighting Strategy. The submitted information demonstrates that lighting would be limited to low-level pedestrian and car park lighting and would utilise fully shielded fittings, warm colour temperatures, motion sensors, dimming controls and automatic switch-off measures. The report concludes that the lighting would not result in unacceptable light spill or adverse effects on the South Downs National Park.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A neighbour spoke against the proposal, while three applicant representatives spoke in support.

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to the reported conditions and changed the operating hours to 08:00–22:00 Monday to Saturday and 09:00–22:00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

“That planning application LW/26/0028 for change of use of existing driver training school to sports centre for padel courts and associated infrastructure be approved, subject to:”

“2) Change to noise condition (para 10.13). The padel facility hereby permitted shall only operate between the hours of 08:00 and 22:00 Monday to Saturday and 09:00 and 22:00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays.”

Minutes