Last November the operators of the two padel courts at the Hornsey Club submitted a planning application to add two further courts, with floodlighting. A decision was expected earlier this year, but has been delayed primarily because of an intervention by Sport England, questioning the demand for padel and expressing concern at the loss of tennis facilities. It appears that after further discussion and negotiation the plans have been revised, and so the consultation has been reopened.
Revised Plan
Essentially the new plan shifts the proposed courts to the derelict land adjoining the cricket nets and the first tennis court, leaving the court closest to View Crescent untouched and available for tennis. Also, the revised plan now does not include any floodlighting. There does not appear to be any change to the proposed opening hours.
Some of these changes may have been driven by a shift in Sport England’s stance as revealed by recent correspondence (which can be viewed on the Council website). They appear to have been convinced by the padel operators that there is a genuine demand for the courts, and that the padel courts would provide a revenue stream for the cricket club to enable it to renovate the remaining tennis court. Their letter is rather complex in terms of the conditions they are encouraging Haringey Council to impose (which include an attempt to revive the Tennis Academy), but we think it would push the club towards a longer-term relationship with padel (a ten-year contract is mentioned), and thus reduce the likelihood of a sports hall in the near future. On balance this looks to be a better proposal then the original application.
Add Your Comments
If you wish to view and comment on the revised plans, the planning reference is unchanged: Click here >>HGY/2024/3278. The deadline for comments is 19th May.
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