Covered padel tennis facility at Fareham Leisure Centre, Park Lane, Fareham

“COVERED PADEL TENNIS FACILITY CONSISTING OF FOUR LED FLOODLIT COURTS, ANCILLARY BUILDINGS, FENCING, LANDSCAPING, CYCLE PARKING AND ASSOCIATED WORKS ON AN AREA OF OPEN SPACE AT THE REAR (WESTERN SIDE) OF THE LEISURE CENTRE. RELOCATION OF EXISTING PATHS AND THE CREATION OF A NORTHERN PATH LINKING THE FACILITY WITH THE WIDER RECREATION GROUND AND CAR PARK.”

“Description of Proposal 3.1 The application proposal comprises a covered padel tennis facility consisting of four LED floodlit courts, ancillary buildings, fencing, landscaping, cycle parking and associated works on an area of open space at the rear (western side) of the Leisure Centre. The proposal also includes the relocation of existing paths and the creation of a northern path linking the facility with the wider recreation ground and car park.”

“Site Description 2.1 The application site is located within the designated urban area of Fareham, to the northwest of the main town centre. The site is situated to the western side of the existing Leisure Centre building, within Park Lane Recreation Ground. The Recreation Ground is located on the western side of Park Lane.”

“The wider site is bounded by residential properties to the north, west and southern boundaries. Further facilities provided within the Park are lawn bowls, a skateboard park, outdoor gym equipment, playground and tennis courts. To the north of the main Leisure Centre is the existing main surface car park serving both the Leisure Centre and the other park users. There is also a smaller surface car park to the western side of the park, accessed via Leigh Road.”

“P/20/0212/FP Two storey extension to existing leisure centre, comprising double height climbing zone, studio space, extension to existing fitness suite, soft play areas, party rooms and a multi-purpose room. Refurbishment of existing Leisure Centre, splash pad added to pool area. Sub-station within car park and car park extension. Entrance canopy above main Leisure Centre entrance. Hard landscaping works to connect proposed extension to existing pathways. APPROVED 26/06/2020”

“P/24/1228/PA Prior approval for the installation of 394 solar panels totalling 197kWp on the roof of the Leisure Centre PRIOR APPROVAL GRANTED 11/11/2024”

“Representations 6.1 Eleven letters of objection have been received (two letters received from same person) which raise the following concerns:”

“Detrimental visual impact • Will result in loss of open space • Loss of mature trees • Traffic congestion due to inadequate parking provision • Poor public transport links • Increase in noise and light pollution • Padel noise different and greater than other racket sports…”

“Local Lead Flood Authority 7.2 No objection subject to conditions.”

“Tree Officer 7.7 No objection subject to subject to condition to ensure compliance with submitted information.”

“Since the publication of the committee report, a further public comment has been received raising the following matters. The comments are more operational than planning considerations and the Council’s Leisure and Community Manager has been made aware.”

“- The proposed building will obscure the existing range of the CCTV rotating camera that is fixed to the Leisure to the Leisure Centre Building. - The sustainable urban drainage feature proposed to the west of the building could be a safety concern for users of the park.”

“(i) GRANT planning permission, subject to the conditions in the report.”

“(ii) DELEGATE authority to the Head of Planning to make any necessary modification, deletion or addition to the proposed conditions. Was voted on and CARRIED. (Voting: 9 in favour; 0 against)”

“(i) PLANNING PERMISSION be granted, subject to the conditions in the report.”

“(ii) AUTHORITY BE DELEGATED to the Head of Planning to make any necessary modification, deletion or addition to the proposed conditions.”