Green light for Edenderry padel courts

By Rebekah O'Reilly

Planning permission has been granted for the development of new padel courts at Mangan’s Service Station on Edenderry's Dublin Road.

An application for planning permission for the sporting facility was made by J. Mangan & Sons Limited, on Friday, December 19.

Planning was granted by Offaly County Council on February 20, subject to 10 conditions.

One of the conditions of the approval requires that the new amenity would stick to opening hours of 7am to 11pm on weekdays excluding public holidays, and 8am to 10pm on weekends and public holidays to protect nearby residential amenity.

Environmental protections form a key part of the decision, with surface water drainage systems designed to sustainable urban drainage standards to prevent flooding or runoff onto adjoining lands and roads.

In addition, the developer will be required to agree details of external materials and finishes with the planning authority to ensure the project integrates appropriately with its surroundings.

The project will see three padel courts being constructed, along with an entrance lobby and a separate toilet block.

The construction of the sports facility building includes one high-power electric vehicle charging unit, two vehicle charging bays and associated electric vehicle infrastructure, signage elements, site lighting, drainage and all other associated site development works.

The planning application states that the applicant has been engaging with a Spanish modular covering manufacturer, Okatent, which specialises in hangar structures and also Padel enclosures in Spain and Europe.

Some additional soft landscaping areas are proposed as part of the development, but no material changes are planned to trees and hedgerows which "act as a buffer between current residential and commercial lands".

Padel is known as a social and accessible sport, combining elements of squash and tennis. One of its key differences from tennis is that the ball is always in play, and it is generally easier to pick up.

The courts are smaller than tennis courts and are fully enclosed, allowing the ball to bounce, similar to squash. The sport has exploded in popularity over the past year, with courts popping up across Ireland.