Maidstone Council Rejects Padel Court Proposal for Coronation Square

A proposal to construct padel courts in Maidstone has faced a second rejection from the local council. Maidstone Council’s cabinet dismissed the inquiry from **Pulse Padel**, which sought to build three courts at **Coronation Square**, located behind the Lockmeadow Entertainment Complex. The decision was made during an informal cabinet meeting, which did not allow for public or press attendance.

Councillor **Stan Forecast** (Conservative) challenged the cabinet’s decision, advocating for the courts’ construction due to the site’s proximity to **Maidstone West Railway Station**. He successfully secured a motion for the full council to review the decision in a public meeting. Despite this renewed discussion, the cabinet upheld its previous stance during this month’s meeting.

Cllr Stuart Jeffery (Green), the council leader, emphasized that the chosen location was unsuitable. He stated, “We discussed this before and felt that the proposed location was just not right. Coronation Square is a valued events space, and there were also concerns about the noise generated by padel and its effect on nearby residents and about the noise and lighting affecting wildlife.”

Councillor **Maureen Cleator** (Labour) supported the decision, acknowledging Cllr Forecast’s enthusiasm for expanding sports in the borough. However, she noted, “Nobody is against padel – but they don’t get to tell us where to have it.” She highlighted the need for enhanced sports infrastructure in areas such as **Shepway** and **Parkwood**, suggesting that Pulse Padel might find fewer objections if they explored those regions. Cleator asserted that introducing padel courts at Lockmeadow would exacerbate existing traffic issues.

Cllr **Stephen Thompson** (Green) remarked on the council’s commitment to promoting health but expressed skepticism, saying, “With apologies to a story in a galaxy far, far away, this is not the padel that we are looking for.” Meanwhile, Cllr **Clive English** (Liberal Democrat) raised concerns that residents in nearby almshouses would be adversely affected by noise from the proposed courts. Cllr **Dave Naghi** (Liberal Democrat) criticized Cllr Forecast, claiming he had “lost the plot” and underscored that Coronation Square was intended as a community events space.

Notably, Cllr Forecast did not attend the meeting he had initiated, which some viewed as undermining his position. Despite the rejection, Cllr Jeffery mentioned that council officers might consider **Poplar Park**, located behind **St Nicholas Church** off the **London Road**, as a potential site for padel facilities.

In response to the council’s decision, **Martin Smickler**, a director with Pulse Padel, expressed disappointment. He stated, “This decision is highly disappointing. They seem to have ignored the enormous support for the scheme expressed on social media. It’s a great loss for the people of Maidstone, especially since Coronation Square is used so rarely.” Smickler added that local businesses at Lockmeadow were anticipating increased foot traffic from the padel courts. Despite the setback, Pulse Padel plans to search for alternative sites in Maidstone.

Simultaneously, **Square One Padel Club** announced plans to open a sports centre featuring ten new padel courts in Maidstone by **January 2024**. The firm, which operates a successful club in **Ashford**, has promised state-of-the-art facilities, including a gym, Pilates studio, restaurant, bar, and wellness amenities. However, the company has not disclosed the exact location of the new club.

Padel continues to gain popularity as the fastest-growing sport in Europe. It is often described as a blend of tennis and squash, with around **1,000 padel courts** across the UK serving approximately **400,000 players**. The ongoing debates surrounding its development in Maidstone reflect broader discussions about urban space and community priorities in local governance.