A prominent European fitness chain, valued in the millions, has come under scrutiny for constructing padel courts in Bristol without securing the necessary planning permissions.
David Lloyd Leisure, which is part of the portfolio of TDR Capital, an investment company, added two padel courts alongside an existing tennis court at its Westbury-on-Trym location on Greystoke Avenue last year.
Investigations by Bristol24/7 revealed that the health club did not seek planning approval for these additions at the Westbury site.
Local residents have expressed concerns that the construction adversely affects the area’s wildlife and infringes on their privacy.
However, the club has stated to Bristol24/7 their intention to collaborate with Bristol City Council to mitigate any potential negative effects on the community.
In December of the previous year, David Lloyd introduced not only the padel courts but also a social area and floodlighting, all of which typically require formal planning consent.
A retrospective planning application was filed with Bristol City Council on January 15 by the company, with assistance from planning and development consultancy Lichfields.
The consultancy outlined in the application that David Lloyd Leisure had not originally sought planning permission due to the padel courts being constructed on an already existing tennis court and padel being considered a variant of tennis.
After consultations, it was agreed that a retrospective application was necessary.
This application has attracted numerous objections from the community, voicing concerns over noise, the impact of floodlighting, and the detrimental effects on local biodiversity.
A particularly vocal resident highlighted the issue of light pollution affecting both the wildlife and the wellbeing of people living nearby, especially when the lights remain on past the club’s closing time, disrupting their sleep.
The removal of vegetation for the court construction, they noted, has exacerbated noise pollution and reduced privacy, stressing the importance of green spaces as natural sound barriers and privacy screens.
The Westbury on Trym Society also raised an objection, noting the expanded footprint of the padel courts compared to the previous tennis court and the resultant loss of trees and vegetation.
They pointed out that this contravenes a tree preservation order on the site, calling for a replanting scheme to mitigate the environmental impact.
David Lloyd Clubs boasts over three decades of operation in Europe, with 100 locations in the UK and 24 more internationally.
Owned by TDR Capital, the chain’s value is estimated at around £2bn.
Responding to the concerns, a spokesperson for David Lloyd Clubs emphasized the company’s dedication to positively impacting the communities and environments where they operate.
They assured that the new padel courts would augment the club’s offerings and introduce members to the increasingly popular sport.
The club has submitted a comprehensive External Lighting Report and Lighting Design Plan, arguing that the installed floodlights are lower and more focused than any lighting previously used for the tennis courts.
The spokesperson added that further studies on noise are underway, and they are committed to working with the Council to prevent any adverse effects on the local community.
