Councillors pushed back on the advice of planning professionals to give permission for a new padel centre to open near Warwick and Leamington Spa.

Planners at Warwick District Council had recommended T.I. Evans & Sons' application for Squab Hall Farm be quashed.

A report said building three courts, changing rooms and a café inside the unit could not be justified.

But at Wednesday's (October 14) planning committee meeting, councillors decided to grant permission.

"The application was approved, against the officer's recommendation, and authority was delegated to the head of place, arts and economy to agree conditions in consultation with the chair of the planning committee," a report said.

"Members granted the application because it created local employment opportunities and benefits to the community health and sports facilities, which outweighed the harm that had been identified."

The application was supported by Bishop's Tachbrook Parish Council who welcomed the addition of the facility to the parish.

The application said the courts would create six new jobs.

Download our Nub News App!

- It’s FREE and available now
- Breaking news notifications
- Your Town in Your Pocket

The facility would be open from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week, offering "a mix of pay-and-play bookings, memberships and coaching sessions".

Documents submitted to the local authority state Padel + Play would operate the site.

Click here to see the application in full.

(Header image by Robin Stott via Geograph.org.uk)