Two councillors have called for a rethink on proposals to build new padel tennis courts in Lichfield.
Proposals have been drawn up for the development on land in Beacon Park.
The local authority is hoping to build the new floodlit courts as part of a £1.5million Community Infrastructure Levy investment in leisure improvements.
But Labour’s shadow cabinet member for leisure, Cllr Claire Booker, said a review of the decision to push ahead with the development was needed.
“I have been raising issues around the spend on padel tennis since first seeing the budget plans last autumn.
“I think the consultation on leisure was flawed as residents weren’t given a free hand at making suggestions – they were only given limited options like climbing walls, obstacle courses etc when many people just want darts.
“That’s like a painter and decorator giving you a quotation for decorating your living room and saying you can only have purple, orange or green when all you wanted is magnolia.
“We welcome any opportunity and investment in providing more and better sports opportunities so that we can help our residents get healthier, but before spending over £300,000 on padel tennis courts, we need to get the overall policy right first.”
Cllr Claire Booker
But Cllr Russ Bragger, Labour representative for Stowe ward, said the council needed to be certain the location was right for the development.
“We should listen carefully to what residents are saying about the proposed site and think this through again.
“I have nothing against padel tennis or providing quality sports facilities in the district but why does it need to be in Beacon Park?”
Cllr Russ Bragger
If it goes ahead, the development would see four padel tennis courts built alongside the Shaw Lane car park.
The proposals also include a “facilities building” with office, toilet and waiting area.
With car parking on Beacon Street obscuring the view of oncoming traffic, exiting from Shaw Lane, safely, is not easy. Anything that increases traffic on this narrow tricky junction should be avoided. If it is to be paddle tennis there must be more suitable sites than a further erosion green space in Beacon Park. A rethink on location and choice of activity sounds like a good idea.
Not only is the exit to Shaw Lane dangerous, but this badly maintained narrow access road with no passing places is already heavily used by visitors to Beacon Park and people attending the nearby Explorer Hut for regular activities including children’s and adults’ music classes. The car park is frequently full already and no alternative parking is available nearby. The addition of another facility requiring parking would lead to frustration and inconvenience, especially to families who like to visit the Park with their young children. Surely a more suitable site could be found for this project?
Staffs Highways have set two requirements:
I personally think Padel tennis would be a great addition to the district of Lichfield. I find it incredible that the Labour Cllr is arguing that the council should be spending money on Darts instead of a sprot that will encourage people to get fit!
However, I do also agree with Cllr Bragger that the location needs checking to make sure they are being put in the best place.
I think it is a great idea to have Paddle Courts. They are few and far between and I know of people travelling miles to find a court to play on – it is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is accessible to a lot of people. Be nice for Lichfield to get ahead of the trend for once
@paul Taylor. Can you tell us why you are allowing staff to join the LDC operating company on worse terms than the direct council staff i.e no LGPS entry. Perhaps you should put something within your control in order first? If term and conditions bother you? You could change that with the LDs if you wanted by putting a motion forward. Or you could make the accrual rate 1/40 like the Railway Pension scheme. Walk the walk if you want to talk the talk.
Also why do you think a train driver that is protected by automatic signalling and is some cases does nothing but sit there like on parts the resignalled underground is worth more than a doctor or some airline pilots, nurses, teachers and of course social workers. They don’t steer trains you know? What about a bus or HGV in a non closed system?
RFW before spouting about train drivers learn more about the job
It takes 6 months to learn a route that is learn where and what all the signals are where every station and if applicable every level crossing.earn where all speed limits are. And have an annual health check. Will that do for a start if it is so easy give it a go
Darts? That seems a curious alternative to this form of tennis.
The location of this seems more odd to me than the sport itself. Why build on Beacon Park when LDC are planning a new leisure centre elsewhere?
As a local resident,walking twice a day around the park ,I along with many others met whilst walking we staggered by the speed that Padel tennis is being put through .
I only received a latter dated the 14th February on February 20th ,then only give till 8thMarch to object .there were no notices to the public until 24thFebuary and then put on lampposts near the children’s play area not on the actual site .
On examination of the documents many flaws seem to have occurred .
Also it needs explaining this is a cross between squash and tennis ,high wire fencing faced with perpex ,to enable the players ,pos 12 at a time ,hitting the balls against these walls ,noise will be a ig issue .
Why spoil the peace of this corner of the park ,when events are held the only place to sit with friends and family to picnic ,and for mental health ,when living with no outside space ,I have spoken to mothers so happy to bring little ones to play in peace away from all the activities .