Indoor padel facility at Cholderton Road, Grateley, Andover

“PROPOSAL 3.1 Change of use to an indoor sports facility (Padel Court).”

“SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION 2.1 The application site consists of two existing buildings within Grateley Business Park. The buildings proposed for padel sited to the southern end of the Business Park, with access taken directly from Cholderton Road (B3084), which is a two-way single carriageway road, connecting the A303 in the west and the A343 in the east.”

“Regarding Policy LE10, the applicant has set out that the units subject to the change of use have not had occupants for a period of five years, which although does not overcome the conflict to Policy LE10, does provide some indication of market demand and activity.”

“Despite the development being contrary to Policy LE10 through insufficient evidence supporting the application, it is considered that the benefits arising from bringing a building back into both an economic use and, in this instance, a leisure use that can be accommodated without detriment to the amenity of neighbouring properties, highway safety, ecology and the character and appearance of the area, is considered to weigh in favour of the grant of planning permission.”

“The Environmental Protection Officer has assessed the updated technical note and has taken into account those concerns by members of the public and considers that the “measured background level is 14 dB higher than the predicted padel court noise levels at the nearest receptor. Comparing the predicted padel court noise level, 28dBA with the measured ambient noise level in the evening period of 63dBA, we can see that it is considerably lower.”

“Subject to conditions (including hours of use, controlling the use to padel (or similar racket sports), no amplified sound or music, noise rating level, no ventilation or vents and the installation of the acoustic cloth), the development is not considered to result in noise or light pollution and mitigations are in place to ensure that privacy and amenity is retained for residential properties.”

“CONSULTATIONS 5.1 Economic Development – No objection.”

“Environmental Protection – No objection subject to conditions.”

“The officer’s recommendation as per the agenda and update paper was proposed by Councillor Budzynski and seconded by Councillor Z Brooks. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried.”

“PERMISSION subject to: The development hereby permitted shall be begun within three years from the date of this permission. Reason: To comply with the provision of Section 91 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as amended by Section 51 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. 2.”

“The noise level emitted from the site shall not exceed 26dBA (expressed as an LAeq, 1 hour), as measured at the boundaries of the Business Park. No ventilation or vents shall be installed into the building and the acoustic cloth as submitted shall be installed within the building and used at all times of operation. Reason: In the interest of the amenities of the local area and local residents in accordance with Test Valley Borough Revised Local Plan (2016) Policy E8. 6.”