East Riding of Yorkshire Council has approved plans to construct two padel courts at Driffield Rugby Union Club. The development, proposed by Yorkshire Padel Clubs Ltd, aims to expand sports facilities in the area. The courts will be built on unused storage land, alongside a new reception hut and picnic benches.
Plans to build two padel courts have received approval from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, targeting a site at Driffield Rugby Union Club on the outskirts of the town off the A164. The courts are set to occupy a portion of the site currently designated for storage, with additional features including a reception hut and picnic benches.
Yorkshire Padel Clubs Ltd, the applicants, have indicated that the club's existing facilities and clubhouse will be accessible to padel users. This integration is intended to support the rugby club's ongoing expansion. Kirkburn Parish Council voiced support for the proposal, stating it would "assist Driffield RUFC in its continued expansion and the ability to provide additional access to sport and recreational activities for more people."
Concerns were raised regarding the site's history of flooding, prompting the parish council to request that floodlighting be designed to "not affect the amenity of local residents." Padel, a sport combining elements of tennis and squash, is played on courts that are 25% smaller than standard tennis courts and enclosed by walls for rebound shots. The Lawn Tennis Association has labeled it "the fastest growing sport in the world."
This approval comes amid rising interest in padel across the region, though specific timelines for construction were not detailed in the application.