Padel tennis firm makes fresh bid for Tipperary facility after planning refusal
A padel tennis company has launched a fresh bid to open a facility in Tipperary after a previous planning application was refused due to zoning restrictions.
Padel Rock Ltd applied to Tipperary County Council for planning permission to open a padel tennis facility in a unit in the Cashel Business Park on the Cahir Road.
A previous planning application for the site was turned down by the council, who said 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 said 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.
Now, an agent for Padel Rock says that despite the site being zoned as commercial and industrial, the new facility will generate employment, and therefore fall into the category of industry.
"The proposed development constitutes a new enterprise that will generate employment, and is therefore compliant with the current zoning objective,” the agent said.
Between 14 and 20 direct and indirect staff will be created by the new padel facility, including a centre manager and assistant manager, padel instructors, and café staff, as well as pilates instructors, a strength and fitness coach, maintenance contractors and local suppliers for coffee and retail items.
The agent added that there are no suitable sites within Cashel town for a padel facility, and that the reuse of a vacant building would be more sustainable than building a new property from scratch within the town’s environs.
"Should, in time, a more suitable space become available within the town centre, it would be the applicant’s objective to move to that location if possible,” the agent said.
"The proposed development is located immediately beside a residential area, benefits from existing car parking provision and is in proximity to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure.” The agent said these factors improve accessibility and integration with the local community.
Among previous objectors to Padel Rock’s last planning application was local councillor Liam Browne, who said 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.
"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.
Tipperary County Council is expected to make a decision on the application by June 15, following the renewed bid and revised arguments from the applicant.