The sandpit in Cantelowes Gardens

A COUNCIL plan to replace a children’s sandpit with a padel court in a public park has been withdrawn following a massive backlash from dozens of residents.

Camden had applied to its own planning department to open a floodlit court for the fast-growing racket sport in Cantelowes Gardens, Camden Town.

The £2 million project, which would have replaced a popular children’s sandpit, had been described as a “vast waste of public money” and more than 115 neighbouring residents objected.

Just one responded to a planning consultation period in support.

A verdict was due to be reached at a planning meeting tonight (Thursday) night but was this week removed from the meeting’s agenda.

Amended plans are expected to be drawn up for a future date and it is understood the council is taking more time to consider comments about the scheme.

The Bartholomew Estate and Kentish Town Conservation Area Advisory Committee’s objection said it was opposed due to a “loss of amenities for a large number of children, which will be replaced by an amenity for youths/adults” and “the height of the padel court will be seen from the houses in Bartholomew Road that back onto Cantelowes Gardens.”

The objection added: “Padel is a noisy game that will also require lights after dark and during the winter. This will cause both noise and light pollution to the houses that back onto the site.”

Another objection said that young children “find sandpits an inspiration for their early years learning about our planet and its environment”, adding: “At a time when children are increasingly left with little or no understanding beyond virtual worlds accessed on digital devices, it would seem wrong to turn the Cantelowes Park sand pit into a padel court.”

The Cantelowes sandpit in the park, which opened in 2006, was designed in the style with the asteroid crash, with a sand-filled hole in the ground and trail of debris leading to a large granite boulder.

It was designed to educate children about the mysteries of deep space as well as a place to play.

Labour councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells had raised concerns with replacing it with a padel court, while former Liberal Democrat councillor Paul Braithwaite’s objection added: “It pleases me to see how very popular the children’s area is. It’s well used. And particularly the sand pit.”

Council officers report said the loss of the sandpit would be mitigated by future plans to redesign the toddler area.

These have not been made public yet. John Golding, from the Lawn Tennis Association, which is now padel’s governing body, supported the project.

“The additional facilities will significantly enhance the development of the sport in the local area and provide access to the local community,” he said.

“The current demand for the sport indicates that there is need for increased provision.”

One resident supporting the scheme said: “It is a fun sport for all ages – I myself have introduced it to my seven-year-old daughter and my parents who are in their 60s.

“It’s accessible for all and would promote more healthy activity in the community.”

The council’s application said the scheme had been prepared in conjunction with The Lawn Tennis Association and Sports Facility Planning & Design Limited.

It said the plan was to construct one outdoor padel court with the installation of low level LED floodlighting over part grassed recreation land and part sand pit area at Cantelowes Gardens.

The park currently has a synthetic turf pitch, skateboard area and an outdoor gym.

. OUR NewJournal+ service online published a bonus feature on the rise and rise of padel. New courts are planned for Murphy’s Yard in Kentish Town and O2 Centre site in West Hampstead.

But will demand match supply? Sweden, an early adopter of the sport, has scores of unused facilities after the growing too quickly.

Read more at newjournal.substack.com