Locals next to upmarket fitness club threaten legal action over 'constant' barrage of swearing, floodlights and 'gunshot' sounds on padel courts
Share:
Locals who live next to an upmarket fitness club are threatening to take legal action all the way to the Supreme Court over 'constant' swearing, floodlights and 'gunshot' sounds on its padel courts. Occupants of properties neighbouring Winchester Racquets and Fitness club are up in arms about the prospect of an 'exponential' worsening of the 'intolerable' sounds they are subjected to day and night.
![[Peter and Liz Russell's house is just 11ft (3.5 metres) from two tennis courts - but they are determined to fight plans to turn them into padel courts]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/12/93423537-14221237-image-m-4_1734955484312.jpg)
Homeowners told how those closest have to cower in their homes with windows shut due to the 'constant' barrage of rallying, swearing from players and glaring floodlights. Padel, an up-and-coming sport widely thought to be the fastest growing in the world with 25 million players, is a version of tennis and played on a similar court.
![[John Colley, 53, said there was no noise problem when all the courts were being used to play tennis]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/12/93423533-14221237-image-m-6_1734955535327.jpg)
But unlike in tennis, a Padel racket is solid with no strings and thicker meaning it makes a very loud noise when striking the ball. Neighbours to the cub claim 'nobody realised how noisy, disruptive and objectionable these courts would be', before they were erected in 2020.
![[Locals described plans to increase the number of padel courts from three to six as 'crazy']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/12/93423539-14221237-image-m-8_1734955623456.jpg)
The centre - which sits next to properties that sell well in excess of £1 million - have said they are working with the council to address the noise as they 'pursue further padel court developments'. The tennis club, situated in the heart of Winchester, dates back to 1910 and now boasts three padel courts which members can enjoy the use of after paying a yearly membership of £161.
![[Peter Chilvers (pictured), 81, and his wife live in a house which also has a garden backing on to the Padel courts, meaning they often have to take cover from the noise inside]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/12/23/12/93423531-14221237-image-m-10_1734955669594.jpg)
