Residents oppose farm's plan for padel courts

Residents have opposed a family farm's plans for padel courts due to noise and traffic concerns.

The development at Offerton Grange Farm, near Sunderland, would include six padel courts, a cafe, mezzanine floor, seating area and parking.

Tania Tallon, who is behind the proposals, said the facility was needed to help secure the long-term future of the family farm and it was hoped to make the sport more affordable and accessible.

But Offerton residents said it was not "suitable" for the area and would change its character.

"These roads are narrow and in some parts two cars can't pass each other," resident Jean Sutcliffe said.

"I hope they can still have farm diversification but put this facility in a more appropriate place where people can access it better."

Neighbour Debbie Hicks added she was "flabbergasted" after finding out about the plans from social media, and worried about noise from the facilities.

"It's literally on our doorstep," she said.

Padel tennis is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with demand outstripping the number of venues.

According to the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), there are currently about 1,533 padel courts in Britain, and more than 860,000 people played the game at least once in 2025.

The nearest padel facility to Offerton is about 3 miles (4.8km) away.

Tallon said existing venues across the region were "regularly fully booked at peak times" which made it "increasingly difficult" for both experienced players and beginners to access the sport.

She said public support for the plans on social media was "the clearest indication of the appetite for a facility like Penshaw Padel".

But resident Fred Hood said the local community would be "massively" affected if the plans went ahead.

"It's really a little hamlet, sort of 20 plus houses," he said.

"One road in, there's no through route, there's no shops, there's no pubs. It's almost on the edge of the countryside and we like that style of living.

"I think we were really disappointed because a development like this of a commercial nature, it just really destroys everything Offerton is."

Tallon, whose family has farmed in the area for five generations, said she was "not an outside developer delivering a project and moving on".

"This is my home too," she said.

"I don't believe Penshaw Padel would take away from the character of Offerton.

"I believe it would become part of its future by creating a high-quality indoor sports facility that encourages healthier lifestyles, brings people together, supports local businesses and helps secure the long-term future of our family farm."

She said a traffic assessment as part of the application predicted a maximum of 16 vehicles arriving over the course of a peak hour, which would "not have a detrimental impact on the local highway network".

Tallon added every court would be within a within a "fully enclosed, insulated, purpose-built building" to reduce the level of sound.

Sunderland City Council will make a decision on the proposal following consultation, with a determination deadline set for October.

Follow BBC Sunderland on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.