Plans for padel clubhouse at Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall

Earlier this month, it was announced the multi-use games area in Whitaker Park, Rawtenstall, is to become padel courts temporarily in May.

The trial, being run by PadelParcs, aims to gauge the demand from the community for a padel court and to give people the chance to give the sport a go.

Touted as the fastest growing sport in Britian, padel is a mix of tennis and squash usually played in doubles, which is vastly popular in Spanish-speaking countries and growing rapidly in popularity.

To support the trial, PadelParcs has submitted a planning application to Rossendale Council to site the 21 square-metre cabin next to the MUGA at the park to serve as a clubhouse for the court.

Whitaker Park in Rawtenstall (Image: Rossendale Borough Council) It would provide one full-time and two part-time jobs as part of the trial with proposed hours of 7am to 10pm daily.

The plans add: “PadelParcs have been liaising with the council to bring the community facility to Whitaker Park and were advised to complete this application for the installation of the temporary Portakabin.”

A Rossendale Council spokesperson said earlier this month: “We are exploring the development of padel tennis facilities as part of a 'test and learn' initiative.

“In partnership with Padel Parcs, temporary courts will be installed on the current MUGA in Whitaker Park - provisionally in May - giving the local community a chance to try the fast-growing sport through coached sessions and open play.

“The trial will help assess demand and gather feedback from players and residents.

“This insight will guide future decisions on whether to invest in permanent padel facilities in Rossendale.

“We'd like to encourage residents to get involved, try the sport, and let us know what they think.”

The site will feature two doubles courts and one singles court – singles courts are slightly smaller, with doubles the most popular format.

The plans have garnered one objection so far from Edwin Furnival and Joy Metcalf, who live next to the park.

They said: “We are very much against this proposal. The suggested site is right next to our garden.

“It is bad enough that we have to suffer the noise and bad language from the all-weather pitch without this proposal as well.

“I am also very concerned that this will encourage an increase in the number of vehicles that decide to come and park nearby.

“These proposals always seem to have downsides for the nearby residents, and Rossendale Council seldom seem to even think about this.

“How about considering doing something positive for the older residents in the park?”

Public consultation on the application closes on Monday, April 28, and to comment visit the planning section of Rossendale Council’s website.