BCP Council (Poole): We are delighted to announce that planning permission has been granted for a Section 73 amendment application at the Cross Court Padel Tennis Centre in Creekmoor, Poole. The application sought approval for a number of amendments to the original temporary planning permission, primarily to regularise the development by reflecting the centre’s ‘as built’ layout, alongside extending the temporary consent for a further three years.
As the site is owned by BCP Council, the application was required to be determined by the Planning Committee rather than under delegated powers. Following consideration of the officer’s recommendation, Members unanimously voted to approve the application.
The case officer concluded that the principle of the development remained firmly established through the original planning permission and confirmed there had been “no material changes to both national and local planning policy context and to the setting and condition of the site that would alter this previous assessment and give reason to object to the principle of the development.”
Importantly, the application regularised a number of minor changes made during construction, including:
- amendments to the site, building and court layout;
- a reduction in the building’s footprint;
- a reduction from seven courts to six;
- revisions to the parking layout; and
- improved pedestrian access arrangements.
The officer found these changes to be beneficial, stating that:
“These changes positively impact the character and appearance of the area due to their reduced scale and mass.”
The report also concluded that the revised screening would ensure:
“the development blends with its surroundings well, without appearing prominent in its setting.”
Overall, officers confirmed that:
“The scheme remains compliant with the provisions of Policy PP27, which seeks to safeguard local character and appearance.”
The amended proposals also delivered improvements to the site’s accessibility.
The new pedestrian route linking the centre directly to the existing crossing point on Upton Road was considered an improvement over the previously approved arrangement, with the report concluding that it:
“offers a shorter and more direct route from the pedestrian refuge crossing point on the main road to the building entrance.”
Following further experience of similar padel facilities across the conurbation, the Highway Authority also confirmed that the revised parking and reduced cycle parking provision was appropriate and supported the amended plans.
In reaching its recommendation, the case officer recognised the wider benefits of the development, concluding that:
“The proposal would deliver some economic benefits during construction and support healthy living for residents, thereby providing associated wider social benefits.”
The report also confirmed that the amendments would have “no impact on the previously assessed scheme, its merits and the principle of development on site“, with the revised conditions simply ensuring that the permission accurately reflects the development that has been delivered.
Pure Town Planning was pleased to act on behalf of Cross Court Padel Limited in securing this unanimous Planning Committee approval, allowing this popular sports facility to continue operating while providing certainty for both the operator and its growing community of players.