Decision is in on latest padel tennis and cafe proposals for Poulton

Proposals for a new padel tennis club and cafe in Poulton have been thrown out by planners.

Padel tennis is listed as the world’s growing sport and is proving popular on the Fylde coast - but the application fell foul of planers at Wyre Council.

The authority’s planning officer said the scheme was in the wrong place and was in conflict with a number of planning policies as a result.

The applicant, listed as Tyler Butterworth, was hoping to set up the new amenity at Unit 6 of Beacon Road on Poulton industrial estate.

They were seeking a change of use of a joinery workshop to a padel club with ancillary cafe bar with alterations to front elevation.

A planning statement on behalf of the scheme stated: “There are no changes proposed to the existing access point to site. Therefore, not impacts on access or highways.

“Visual impact with regards to this application will be minimal, as the site is an existing building which will not be extended as a result of this application.

“The proposal will not cause any detrimental impacts in terms of flooding, drainage, or neighbour amenity. It is considered that this application is consistent with current planning policies and should therefore be viewed favourably by the local authority.”

But the planning officer though otherwise and refused the proposals.

The officer stated: “The application site is within an existing employment area defined in the Local Plan proposals map. The proposed use does not represent an employment use and does not represent a supporting use primarily serving people employed within the industrial estate.

“Furthermore, the application proposes a main town centre use that is not within a defined centre. The development is not specifically supported by another Local Plan Policy, and it has not been demonstrated that no other sequentially preferable sites are available to accommodate the proposed development. “

The officer said the application in fact woukd conflict with two policies and severlparagraphs within the Local Plan, as well as within the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

For fans of this sport, there are currently outdoor facilities up and running in Lytham Lowther, while a 24-hour indoor amenity is set to open at Blackpool’s Squires Gate in October, and plans for to courts at Pool Foot Farm in Thornton were approved in January this year.

However, amended proposals for Cleveleys seafront have recently been refused by planners at Wyre.