Lewes District Council’s planning committee will on Wednesday (5 August) consider an application to construct an enclosed sports centre containing five padel courts on land at Plumpton Racecourse. The submission, made by Hurstwood Sports Group Ltd, has been recommended for approval by council planning officers.
Officer report: benefits and mitigations
In their report to councillors, planning officers said the proposals would reuse and diversify an existing commercial site within the racecourse complex and provide a range of sporting, recreational, community and economic advantages. The application includes provision for spectator seating, office and storage space, along with landscaping, acoustic mitigation and low‑level external lighting.
"In overall terms, the proposal would deliver sporting, recreational, community and economic benefits through the reuse and diversification of an existing commercial site within the established racecourse complex."
Specialist consultees have examined issues including noise, ecology and lighting and, according to officers, concluded that impacts can be suitably mitigated through planning conditions.
Local responses and concerns
The council received representations from local residents that raise a variety of concerns. Objectors cited potential noise, additional traffic generation, loss of race day parking, harm to residential amenity, impacts on horses and livestock, visual intrusion in the countryside and the loss of the existing driver training use on the site.
- 25 objections to the plans were recorded by the council
- 35 messages of support were also received
- The applicant forecasts 12 jobs would be created once the facility is operating
Environmental Protection reviewed the noise impact assessment and proposed mitigation measures and raised no objections, according to the officer report.
What the scheme would deliver
The development envisages an enclosed building with five padel courts, spectator provision and ancillary spaces. Formal measures to limit disturbance include acoustic screening and restricted external lighting intended to minimise effects on neighbouring properties and the surrounding countryside.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Applicant | Hurstwood Sports Group Ltd |
| Location | Plumpton Racecourse (part of driver training centre site) |
| Development | Enclosed sports centre with five padel courts |
| Application ref | LW/26/0028 |
Councillors will need to balance the claimed community and economic benefits against concerns raised by neighbours. Members wishing to view the full documents and representations can consult the planning file on the Lewes District Council website under application reference LW/26/0028.
The committee meeting will decide whether to grant permission subject to the conditions officers suggest, or to refuse on grounds members consider material to the planning balance.
