Another Mayo padel tennis project given the green light
The popularity of padel tennis is continuing to grow in County Mayo, as another planning application for new sporting facilities has been approved.
Mayo County Council has granted permission to Padel Sports 100 Limited to construct three modular padel tennis courts at the Westport Country Lodge Hotel.
The courts will be installed on a section of the hotel’s car park and will feature artificial‑grass surfaces, 4‑metre fencing around each court and 6‑metre LED lighting.
During the planning process, council officials asked for further information regarding the loss of car parking spaces, particularly regarding disabled spaces and bicycle provision.
In response, the hotel confirmed that it currently provides 188 parking spaces, seven staff spaces, and two designated disabled parking bays.
The proposed development will result in the loss of 58 spaces, reducing the overall capacity to 130, while all staff and disabled parking will be kept.
The hotel also committed to future upgrade plans that would see the installation of a sheltered bicycle parking area with 15 spaces.
Padel tennis has been gaining momentum in Mayo and across the country. According to figures from PadelCourts.ie, there are now 64 venues and 224 courts nationwide across 25 counties, representing an increase of more than 60pc since 2023.
Padel Sports 100 Limited has also submitted a separate application to install three modular padel tennis courts at Claremorris Tennis Club, with a decision due at the end of April.
Similar to the Westport Country Lodge Hotel, the plans include 4-metre-high fencing and 6-metre-high LED lighting.
The facility would consist of one singles court and two doubles courts, and the application states they expect between 40 and 50 users a day.
Elsewhere in the county, planning permission has been granted to Ireland rugby international Jack Carty for the development of four padel courts in Ballina.
Mr Carty and his business partner, Fergal Hynes, received approval for the project at the Abbeyhalfquarter IDA Industrial Estate last month.
Project Padel Mayo will see a warehouse converted into three side‑by‑side courts, with a fourth court offering a full panoramic view.
The development is described as Ireland’s first indoor padel facility designed to allow outdoor‑style play.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.