Four floodlit padel courts at Land At Heacham Manor, Hunstanton Road, Heacham

What was proposed

The application proposed four floodlit padel courts, bar and clubhouse facilities, a car park extension and a nature walk area.

“Construction of floodlit padel tennis courts, associated bar and clubhouse facilities, and formation of car park extension Location:”

“The application seeks planning permission for the construction of four padel tennis courts and bar and clubhouse facilities at Heacham Manor, Hunstanton Road, Heacham. The plans also include the construction of a car park extension and a nature walk area.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site was at Heacham Manor, within the neighbourhood plan area, and the Grade II listed manor was largely shielded by modern development.

“Heacham Manor is Grade II Listed, although the application is largely shielded from the Listed Building by more modern development.”

“The site is within the Heacham Neighbourhood Plan area and those policies therefore also apply.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, considering the expansion of the existing leisure business acceptable subject to conditions controlling its impacts.

“Throughout this application, amended plans have been received to remove raised outdoor seating and the application has been supported by Noise Impact Assessments and Lighting Impacts Assessments which allow the assessment of nuisance impacts.”

“Therefore, subject to conditions the proposal is considered to comply with the requirements of the NPPF, Policies LP07, LP13, LP14, LP18, LP20 and LP21 of the Local Plan, and the aims of the Heacham Neighbourhood Plan and the proposal is therefore recommended for approval.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The Parish Council objected over noise, while the highway authority and several specialist consultees raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Parish Council: OBJECTION due to noise nuisance from the Padel Courts, which are very close to nearby properties and the tree/hedge planting will take some time to grow enough to dampen the noise.”

“Local Highway Authority: NO OBJECTION subject to access being provided via the main access track and not to Mulberry Place.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, a supporter and Councillor Parish addressed the Committee about the application.

What members debated

Councillors debated whether noise mitigation was adequate, including an acoustic wall and reduced operating hours.

“Councillors debated the adequacy of noise mitigation, with proposals for an acoustic wall and reduced operating hours.”

“Officers advised that further negotiation with the applicant was needed to clarify the extent and impact of such measures, especially given the site's listed status and therefore recommended that the application should be deferred to allow further consideration with the applicant, which was agreed by the Committee.”

Minutes

The committee decision

The Committee deferred the application for further discussion with the applicant about noise mitigation and operating hours.

“RESOLVED: That the application be deferred to allow further consideration with the applicant regarding noise mitigation and operational hours.”

Minutes