Anyone for padel?
Plans are in for new sports facilities in York. Two padel courts and two petanque rinks are set to be built at the fast-growing Poppleton Community Centre.
They would sit alongside a new tennis clubhouse at the centre, on Main Street, Upper Poppleton.
Padel is an innovative form of tennis that’s fun, easy to learn and good for all ages. Played on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court, it is sometimes described as a mix between tennis and squash.
Petanque is one of the boules sports, invented in France and now popular over here too.
Having gained planning permission to expand, Poppleton Community Centre has now applied to add the extra sporting facilities.
“The proposal includes a single storey detached tennis clubhouse, two padel courts and two petanque rinks,” says a design statement by Paul Butler Architects.
“There are five additional parking spaces proposed for motor vehicles and improved permeable paving paths and seating areas for access and spectating.”
New lighting will be installed to illuminate the padel courts.
The statement continues: “This proposal is considered to be low-impact. The proposed clubhouse and padel courts will provide much needed additional function space that the venue clearly needs for tennis, as well as additional pétanque rinks for the enjoyment of the local community.
“The external space which is subject to the tennis works serves no current use and offers no visual merit.”
Poppleton Community Trust, which manages the community centre, has launched a £460,000 Out o’ Space fundraising campaign for the expansion.
You can read about the campaign here and donate to the crowdfunder here.
The planning application can be found here.