Plans have emerged to turn an old putting green into two padel tennis courts as the craze grows around the city.

Norfolk Premier Golf in Blofield could soon be the home of the new courts as plans are submitted to Broadland District Council.

Under the designs, the "unused synthetic putting green" will be replaced with two all-weather padel courts.

Norfolk Premier Golf in BlofieldNorfolk Premier Golf in Blofield (Image: Google) The site has a full-length, nine-hole golf course, a 26-bay Toptracer driving range, a golf shop and a pirate-themed adventure golf course. In March, Shot - Coffee & Sports Bar was opened. 

Norfolk Premier Golf plans to build the padel courts to expand and "enhance sport opportunities for the local community."

They added: "There is a clear demand for padel courts in the area, with limited existing options available to the local community.

"By introducing these courts, we aim to attract a broader range of visitors beyond our current golfer clientele, extending our reach to new customer demographics."

Padel courts are surrounded by mesh and glassPadel courts are surrounded by mesh and glass (Image: Broadland District Council) However, issues have been raised with the application. 

An officer for the Environmental Quality team at South Norfolk and Broadland District Council said that further information will be necessary before they can back the plans.

He said: "Given the level of noise which Padel Tennis can generate a Noise Impact Assessment is considered to be required.

"This needs to be provided upfront and cannot be conditioned, due to the potential impact on the nearby residential receptor."

READ MORE: City padel court given the go-ahead despite objections from neighbours

He also raised questions about the proposed opening hours and the proposed lighting, stating that "until the above information has been provided and reviewed" he objects to the application.

Padel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UKPadel tennis is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK (Image: Canva) If approved, the golf club will join the East Anglian Tennis and Squash Club as a destination to try out padel tennis. 

Plans for the courts were approved earlier this year - despite nearly 30 objections raised about the impact of the noise on neighbours.

WHAT IS PADEL TENNIS?

Padel is a mix between tennis and squash.

It’s usually played in doubles on an enclosed court surrounded by walls of glass and metallic mash. The court is one-third of the size of a tennis court.

The ball can bounce off any wall but can only hit the turf once before being returned. Points can be scored when the ball bounces twice in the competitors’ field.

Padel originated in Acapulco in Mexico in 1969 when Enrique Corcuera modified his squash court to incorporate elements of platform tennis. The sport was originally called Paddle Concuera.

In the UK, the number of padel courts increased by 116pc between 2022 and 2023, according to building company Losberger De Boer.

It is one of the fastest-growing sports globally and has grown at around 26pc yearly.