Harlow Council reject bid for Padel Tennis Courts in grounds of Old Harlow school
News / Fri 17th Oct 2025 at 07:35am
HARLOW Council has rejected plans for Padel Tennis Courts at a school in Old Harlow.
A planning application was submitted for courts in the grounds of St Nicholas’ School in Old Harlow.
The report gave its reasons for rejection.
The proposed development by reason of its overall scale, height, massing and general appearance would appear as an excessively bulky and unsympathetic form of development at this semi-rural location resulting in significant visual harm to the Green Wedge through encroachment and visual intrusion whereby the defined roles and functions and historic significance of the Green Wedge would fail to be preserved.
You can see the full details and explanations in the link below. Look for: HW/FUL/25/00122
josh
2025-10-17 14:52:37
Yet they didn't reject Burnt Mill School, which now looms over the Town Park.
Dave
2025-10-17 15:00:18
Josh. Im in the town park now, you cant see Burnt Mill from here 🤣
josh
2025-10-17 15:05:02
Dave, if you are sniffing glue under the bridge or hanging around the toilets - granted, it is out of view - But from much of the park....
Ted
2025-10-17 16:15:14
Burnt Mill School has been on that site since 1962.
Dr Robert Macdonald
2025-10-17 17:43:54
Total nimbies... Doesn't quite fit in with the Tory council's agenda, In old Harlow, nevermind the impact, the positive impact it would have on the community...
Steve
2025-10-17 17:58:57
What about all the building of housing and flats surrounding old Harlow and church gate street hasn't that encroached on the green belt
Whatever 77
2025-10-18 07:20:22
Many thanks to everybody who took the time and trouble to contact, Harlow Council, and YOUR HARLOW, who objected to this monstrosity. For once, common sense prevails for the good of our neighbourhood.
John
2025-10-18 08:25:47
I think a school is more important than a padle tennis arena! Why not build homes for the homeless or retirement homes?
Tim
2025-10-18 11:55:57
Is this a case of Old Harlow residents saying “We cannot have this here, it’s Old Harlow, place it somewhere else”. Anything to help get people active with clubs should be welcomed, the planning doc link doesn’t have the document available so cannot see the plans
Colleen Morrison
2025-10-19 10:35:55
Dr Robert Macdonald: "Total Nimbies...Old Harlow" Instead of posting groundless smears, post the hard facts of padle courts. Do a google search of 'Padel court Club noise criticised' and up will pop hundreds of cases of issues with padel courts and clubs with padel courts all over UK, in fact all over the world, with anti-social noise, conduct, flood lighting and parking issues, which make life a misery for local people. Up will also pop accounts of padel court owners' PR, that this sport will improve the poor standard of local health and fitness and be a great community asset. However, they don't mention the grossly expensive fees of padel courts and clubs with padel courts, which range from £30 to £70 for a hour's session, to £195 - £230 per month per person, to £300 - £370 per month, per couple, to £400 - £500 or more, per month, per family. Some clubs also charge a joining fee of between £10 to £150. This is not about providing a community asset for all, it's about providing expensive facilities for the well off, which are unaffordable for most ordinary families.
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