Outdoor padel court at The Pavilion, London Road, Louth

What was proposed

An enclosed, floodlit outdoor padel court was proposed beside the sports pavilion, replacing the original application’s cricket net facility.

“The sports complex is accessed from London Road to the west and comprises a pavilion building, associated parking, football pitches, cricket facilities and a floodlit artificial sports pitch. The application site is situated to the east of the pavilion building on an area of grassed land currently forming part of the wider grass pitches.”

“The application was originally submitted for 2 no. proposed outdoor hard-court sports enclosures (a padel court and cricket net facility) but was subsequently amended to seek planning permission for the Erection of an outdoor padel court with floodlighting.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The court would occupy grass within an established sports complex near homes, a cemetery, farmland and the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape.

“The site comprises a parcel of grassed land within the grounds of the London Road Sports Pavilion on the southern edge of Louth. The wider site is allocated for Sport and Recreation within the East Lindsey Local Plan and lies immediately adjacent to, but outside of, the Lincolnshire Wolds National Landscape.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the proposal would meet identified padel demand while maintaining sports provision and avoiding unacceptable effects on the area or neighbours.

“Also of relevance is the ELDC Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Facilities Study (July 2025). This is a strategic assessment of current provision and future needs for outdoor sports infrastructure in the district. It identified, in July 2025, a deficit of 11 padel courts. Since the report was published 10 padel courts have been constructed; the development proposed at London Road would be the 11th, meeting the need identified in the study.”

“The proposal comprises a single padel court within an established sports complex and is therefore a relatively modest addition to the existing facility. Whilst the development is likely to generate some additional vehicle movements and parking demand, these are not anticipated to be significant.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The town council supported the proposal, highways raised no objection, ecology accepted the scheme, and Sport England objected while further comments were awaited.

“Sport England have been consulted on additional information, however their final comments have not been received at the time of writing this report.”

“ECOLOGY – No objection but initially asked that a lighting impact strategy be required including a dark corridor. Further information was received from the applicant regarding existing lighting. Ecology reviewed this information and confirmed that a dark corridor would not be achieved at this site, therefore no further information required.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support, and a councillor spoke on behalf of Louth Town Council.

Members’ debate

Members discussed Sport England’s objection, expected income and charges, community benefits, and whether operating-hour restrictions were justified.

“- Following a request for some clarification on the projected annual income from the facility, [the applicant] advised that the forecast income figures had been provided by a specialist company. He stated that a cautious approach had been adopted with initial usage levels expected to be around 30 to 40 per cent until the facility became established.”

“- A Member queried whether Sport England could prevent approval of the application. The Development Management Lead Officer explained that whilst Sport England maintained an objection, any resolution to approve the application would require referral to the Secretary of State. Members were advised that delegated authority was being sought to continue discussions with Sport England and should the objection be withdrawn, permission could be issued without referral.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee approved the proposal in line with the officer recommendation by 11 votes to none, with one abstention.

“Following which, the application was proposed and seconded for approval in line with officer recommendation.”

“Upon being put to the vote, the proposal for approval in line with officer recommendation was carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted, with referral to the Secretary of State if negotiations did not remove Sport England’s objection.

“That this Council resolve to grant planning permission with the application being referred to the Secretary of State under the Town and Country Planning (Consultation) (England) Direction 2024 for appropriate consideration should on-going negotiations not lead to the removal of Sport England’s objection.”

Minutes