A new planning application to create two padel courts at Morpeth Golf Club has been approved.

Padel is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash.

The courts, which will be available to anyone wishing to play and not just for golf club members, will be located on an area of grassed land currently forming part of the golf club's practice facilities.

Northumberland County Council planning officers gave the bid the green light under delegated powers.

A previous proposal for two courts – in the club’s existing car park – submitted last year was also approved by the council.

The initial application included a canopy over the courts, but this was removed from the plans following feedback from the local authority.

The new bid that was put forward in April this year explained that due to cost of building them within the car park, measured against their overall availability because of the planning issue with the proposed cover – as well as operational issues without the cover in that location – the club decided that it needed to go with a revised proposal in a different area of the site.

Its design and access statement said: “The new proposal will ensure the safety of padel players when retrieving balls and will cost significantly less to construct due to reduced ground works.

“The courts will be located behind the existing shipping containers, reducing the visual impact of the scheme.

“As there will be no canopy, it will therefore will be visually unobtrusive within the green belt as the entirety of the padel court surrounds are mesh or tempered glass.”

In approving the application, the planning officer report includes the following: “The proposal represents a sustainable enhancement to an existing recreational facility, constitutes appropriate development within the green belt, enhances sporting provision on protected recreational land and would deliver community, health and economic benefits.

“Officers are satisfied that the proposal represents a functional and appropriately designed addition to the existing golf club complex.

“The scale, layout and appearance of the development are considered proportionate to its intended use and reflective of its recreational setting.”

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