Pik Leisure has submitted revised plans for an indoor padel facility at Grateley Business Park in Hampshire, seeking extended hours and permission for amplified music. The changes follow a prior approval for the site's use as a sports venue. Residents have raised concerns about potential noise from bar activities despite supporting the courts themselves.
Revised plans for an indoor padel sports facility at Grateley Business Park have been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council. The application, from Pik Leisure, targets Units 4 and 5 on Cholderton Road and builds on a previous approval under reference 25/00671/FULLN, which allowed the change of use to an indoor sports facility.
The new bid proposes two key amendments to the conditions. First, it requests opening hours from 6am to midnight daily. Second, it seeks to replace a total ban on amplified music with a limit of 77 decibels inside the building. A planning statement from Allen Planning, on behalf of Pik Leisure, explains: “This application proposes a restriction of the hours of operation condition on the use proposed, together with the ability to play amplified music within the building to a specified maximum level of 77db. Such a change of use has already been granted on this site by the LPA.”
A Noise Impact Assessment accompanies the application, asserting no harm to nearby residents. It notes that no music was audible during surveys and that ambient noise from road traffic already reaches at least 72 dB at nearby homes. The report concludes that the proposals “would have no adverse impacts on the amenities of the residents opposite in terms of adverse noise impacts.”
Local objections focus not on the padel courts but on added features like a bar and kitchen. Resident Gary Halfacre stated: “I’m not opposed to the courts themselves, we cannot hear the day to day actions of the courts, it’s the late night bar activity that can be heard, during times when Cholderton Road goes silent.” Robert Thompson added: “The new Padel courts were originally applied for on the basis that this would be a sports facility only. No mention was made of this being a bar and kitchen.”
The application, reference 26/00185/FULLN, was received on January 29 and is scheduled for determination on March 26.
