Padel tennis venue proposed for Knights Park in Tunbridge Wells

Plans have been submitted to build a new padel tennis facility at Knights Park, Knights Way, Royal Tunbridge Wells (TN2 3UW), using part of the existing leisure complex car park.

The application from The Padel Club seeks permission for five padel courts (four under a large canopy and one outdoors), plus a single-storey clubhouse, storage, pergola and seating area, cycle parking and landscaping.

The scheme would be built on a section of the current car park, reducing parking from 834 spaces to 690 (a loss of 144). The planning statement says surveys show there is still significant spare capacity, and predicts peak demand for the new facility at around 21 spaces.

Because the site sits next to Robingate Wood (Ancient Woodland / Local Wildlife Site) and close to the Green Belt and High Weald National Landscape boundary, the application includes reports on ecology, lighting, noise and drainage. The statement says lighting and ecology were key issues raised at pre-application stage, and proposes measures such as screening and a 15-metre woodland buffer. It also acknowledges a BNG shortfall, with plans to address it by purchasing off-site biodiversity units.

The council will now assess impacts including parking, traffic, light spill, noise, trees and wildlife, and residents can comment during the consultation period.