Plans for padel facility in Tipperary business park turned down by planners

Padel Rock Ltd applied to Tipperary County Council for permission to develop a padel facility at the Cashel Business Park, on the Cahir Road in Cashel.

The application also sought revised parking arrangements and additional signage.

Councillor Liam Browne objected to the plans for the facility, saying that to grant planning permission would be in contravention of the council’s development plan.

"The proposed development constitutes an inappropriate and non-conforming change of use that is not permitted in principle under the zoning objectives of the Cashel and Environs Development Plan,” Cllr Browne said.

Cllr Browne added that the site is zoned for industrial and employment uses, and a padel facility would not be in keeping with these uses.

"An indoor padel tennis facility is a leisure and recreational use and does not fall within the definition of industrial, employment-generating or related commercial development,” he argued.

"The development plan is clear that non-conforming uses should not be permitted where they would conflict with the zoning objective or undermine the strategic function of the area,” the objection added.

The granting of planning permission would also raise concerns in relation to traffic safety.

"An indoor padel tennis facility is a leisure use that attracts a broad demographic, including children, older persons and persons with disabilities, many users would also be pedestrians or cyclists.

“In contrast, Cashel Business Park is designed to accommodate industrial and commercial traffic, including delivery vehicles, commercial vehicles, and potentially heavy goods vehicles,” Cllr Browne said.

Agreeing with the points raised by Cllr Browne, Tipperary County Council decided to refuse planning permission for the development, saying that the original planning permission for the business park restricted the use of the units to commercial and industrial only.

"The proposal is for a commercial sports facility. Under the land use zoning matrix sports and leisure facilities (commercial and community) are not permitted on this land use zone,” council planners said.

The proposal “is contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” planners added.

The council says they are open to the development of sports facilities at suitable locations, but that the proposed location isn’t suitable under the development plan.

"The planning authority seek to encourage the development of sports facilities at appropriate locations which are located a convenient distance from residential areas and co-located where opportunities allow.

"The application site is located within a permitted development of warehouse units, at a remove from the town centre, residential areas and existing sporting facilities. The proposal is not in accordance with the Tipperary County Development Plan 2022 and is contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area,” planners added.

Padel is a racket sport, similar to tennis, but is usually played in doubles on a smaller court. The scoring system is similar to tennis, but the rules are different, with elements of squash being incorporated into the game of padel.

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