The proposed construction of two padel tennis courts at Dunham Forest Golf Club in Altrincham has been granted approval, despite objections from local residents and councillors. The concerns surrounding the site’s green belt status and potential impact on the bat population were acknowledged, but ultimately, the Trafford planning committee deemed the proposal acceptable.
In addition to the courts, the application includes plans for the installation of fencing and eight floodlights. The council’s report recognized that the development is not in line with green belt guidelines, but it cited “very special circumstances” and public benefit as grounds for its endorsement. It also noted the “less than substantial” harm to the designated heritage asset.
The Greater Manchester Ecology Unit raised environmental concerns, particularly regarding the potential effects of the proposed floodlights on the foraging habits of bats in the area. The unit emphasized the possibility of bats experiencing functional loss in available foraging habitat during the spring and summer months. However, it also acknowledged the presence of alternative foraging habitat nearby.
Notwithstanding the approval, Councillors Dan Jerome and Meena Minnis voiced their opposition to the plan. Jerome highlighted the incremental impact on the green belt and the Devisdale Conservation Area, while Minnis expressed concerns about the unique nature of padel tennis compared to traditional tennis, particularly in relation to encroachment into the conservation area.
Ultimately, the committee approved the application, with the majority viewing it as a modest incremental change rather than a significant encroachment. Only Councillors Jerome and Minnis dissented in the vote.
This decision underscores the delicate balance between development and environmental conservation, where considerations of public benefit and special circumstances carry significant weight in the planning process. The thorough consideration by the planning committee underscores the complexities inherent in such decisions, particularly in designated conservation areas.