Politics in Coevorden is against the padel courts that the Coevorder Tennis Club (CTC) wants to build. According to all groups, the jobs will be too close to homes. Local residents are very concerned about noise nuisance.
A motion not to grant a license was supported on Tuesday evening by all political groups, with the exception of the VVD.
,,Padel does not belong in the middle of a residential area, such as in Coevorden”, said Michel Blanken (PvdA). ,,Padel makes a lot more noise than tennis. According to new guidelines, the distance to homes must be at least two hundred meters. Elsewhere in the Netherlands, a short distance leads to health problems, sleeping problems, light nuisance and children who cannot do homework because of the noise. We are not against padel, on the contrary. But we need to look elsewhere.”
Insufficient space
Alderman Erik Holties (BBC2014) said that another place has indeed been investigated. According to chairman Wim Berends of the CTC, there was insufficient space for five tennis courts and the two to four padel courts that the tennis club thinks it needs.
Some council factions wondered whether it is legally possible to instruct the municipal executive not to grant a permit, as stated in the motion. “Padel does not belong in a residential area, we as VVD are very clear about that. But that must be based on policy,” stated Irma Talens (VVD).
Still hoping for a solution
CTC has already suspended the permit application several times on its own initiative. If the council had not taken a decision before May 31, the permit would have to be granted. Holties said CTC had asked for another extension earlier in the day, until Sept. 30. According to the alderman, CTC wants to use that time for further investigation and further consultation with local residents. “They still have hope for a solution.”
The Labor Party wanted Holties to make a commitment not to issue the permit anyway, as instructed in the motion. But Holties didn’t.
Need more time
Chairman Wim Berends of the Coevorder Tennis Club (CTC) said earlier in the day that he needed time for further investigation. This should answer the question of whether additional soundproofing measures are sufficient for the Coevorden Municipal Executive to grant a permit.
In Coevorden, indoor padel courts have recently been opened in Plaza Sportz (the former racket hall). CTC also cooperates with this, but according to Berends, the club also needs padel to survive. ,,In the meantime, forty members have left, mainly to be able to play padel elsewhere.”
Unrest in Sleen as well
There is also unrest in Sleen about the construction of padel courts close to homes by Tennis Association Sleen. Holties will talk to the club on Wednesday. The hope is that there will be room for the courts near the tennis park, instead of the intended location that is too close to homes. Chairman Klaas Schepers of Tennis Association Sleen indicates that the members also have to make a decision about the hefty investment to make padel possible.