Up the Creek Without a Padel: Plans for Six Enclosed Padel courts on a Former Tennis Facility Attracts Objections from Locals....

Site at Greyfields Hartlepool (Location is approximate)

The plans for Six Enclosed Padel Courts with additional parking spaces has not gone down well with locals, who are already dealing with significant parking issues when the site is being used at peak times.

21st August 2025

Plans to build six enclosed padel courts at the former tennis facility at Greyfields have split opinion in Hartlepool – with many nearby residents warning the development will make an already serious parking problem even worse.

An example of one of the constructed courts shown by the applicants.

The proposals, submitted by One Padel Ltd, would see the old tennis courts redeveloped, with a canopy installed over the new courts. The scheme also includes extending the existing car park to increase capacity. At present, the Greyfields site offers 59 standard bays and 8 accessible spaces.

Developers argue that extra spaces will ease demand, but residents are far from convinced. Some claim match days and busy weekends already see cars spilling into surrounding streets, with vehicles parked illegally, blocking driveways, and even preventing people from accessing or leaving their own homes. Enforcement officers have reportedly had to issue fines in the area on a regular basis.

Council Enforcement Officials have reportedly had to regularly issue fines to motorists illegally parking in the nearby area, reinforcing many of the concerns raised by locals living in the nearby area to the proposed development .

The Greyfields recreation site is currently home to a clubhouse with bar, changing rooms, offices, 3G pitches, grass pitches for youth football, a playground, and a main first-team pitch. Supporters of the padel scheme say the new courts would add to the variety of sporting opportunities available.

Its claimed, discussions between developers and Mr Phillip Turner of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) suggest Greyfields could accommodate up to eight double courts in future, and the site represents a strong opportunity for expanding padel tennis in the region.

Whilst some letters of support have been submitted, objections continue to mount from locals worried about congestion and the impact on public safety. .

Hartlepool Borough Council is expected to decide on the application in early October, although its said that if objections continue to rise, the matter could be referred to the council’s planning committee for a final decision to be made.