PLANS for new courts to help boost membership at a Wirral squash club have been submitted for approval.
If approved by councillors it would see the installation of two outdoor Padel courts, including eight floodlights and soft landscaping on land south east of Heswall Squash Racquets Club on Gayton Playing Fields on Brimstage Road in Heswall.
Padel is described in the document as 'a racket sport played within an enclosed court which enables the ball to bounce off the walls and remain in play' and 'a hybrid of tennis and squash that is easy to learn and extremely sociable'.
The sport is said to have grown increasingly popular and is now the fastest growing sport in the country, with sports clubs and gyms constructing Padel courts to meet consumer demand.
A statement issued along with the planning documents by Smith & Ward Planning Ltd on behalf of the club said: "The Padel courts will serve existing members of Heswall Squash Racquets Club and the local community".
It is intended the new facilities will attract new members to the Club to ensure its vitality. Sessions of play will be between 8am and 10pm and will need to be booked in advance online.
According to a planning statement, Heswall Squash Racquets Club currently has 221 members and offers four squash courts. Introducing Padel facilities 'will provide an opportunity for membership growth and will encourage the local community to use the club'.
Justifying why planning application should be approved, the statement continued: "The Padel court structure would not obstruct any views within the local landscape.
"Furthermore, the existing trees and hedgerow south west of the application site along Chester Road, would conceal the Padel courts.
"There is also further hedgerow planting proposed along the western boundary of the application site so that the Padel courts would not be visible within the street scene.
"Therefore, the visual impact of the proposal is not considered intrusive within the local landscape and openness of the Green Belt would be preserved."
It continued: "The structure of the enclosure comprises glass and wire mesh panels which ensures visibility through and around the court so the visual landscape is not obscured.
"Therefore, it is considered that these are material considerations and given the benefits to the local community it would be reasonable to request that the Local Planning Authority grant approval for this application."
To read the planning application in full, click here: https://online.wirral.gov.uk/planning/index.html?fa=getApplication&id=229692
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