Offaly County Council has approved planning permission for three new padel courts at Mangan’s Service Station on Edenderry's Dublin Road. The development, proposed by J. Mangan & Sons Limited, includes additional facilities and environmental safeguards. Padel, a growing sport in Ireland, combines elements of tennis and squash.
Planning permission for the padel courts was submitted by J. Mangan & Sons Limited on December 19 and granted by Offaly County Council on February 20, with 10 conditions attached. The project at Mangan’s Service Station on Dublin Road will feature three padel courts, an entrance lobby, and a separate toilet block. Associated works include one high-power electric vehicle charging unit, two charging bays, signage, site lighting, and drainage systems.
To protect nearby residents, the facility must operate from 7am to 11pm on weekdays excluding public holidays, and from 8am to 10pm on weekends and public holidays. Environmental measures require surface water drainage to meet sustainable urban drainage standards, preventing flooding or runoff to adjacent lands and roads. The developer must also agree on external materials and finishes with the planning authority to blend with the surroundings.
The application involves collaboration with Okatent, a Spanish manufacturer specializing in modular padel enclosures. Soft landscaping will be added, but existing trees and hedgerows, which buffer residential and commercial areas, will remain unchanged.
Padel is a social sport that mixes squash and tennis, played on smaller, fully enclosed courts where the ball stays in play after wall bounces. It is easier for beginners to learn than tennis. The sport has seen rapid growth in Ireland over the past year, with new courts appearing nationwide.