Glasgow approves new padel courts after noise and floodlight objections

Glasgow City Council gave the go-ahead to new padel courts in Pollokshields and Hillhead after nearly 80 objections. The plans cover three covered courts at Titwood Bowling Club, 77 Glencairn Drive, and two covered padel tennis courts with lighting, landscaping and associated works at Hillhead Sports Club, 32 Hughenden Road, Glasgow G12 9XP.

Noise sat at the heart of the pushback. Neighbours objected to the sound of padel being carried into surrounding streets, with one critic describing the impact as “gunshot-like” and as “hard cracking sounds like a rifle shot” when the ball struck the paddle and glass surfaces. Floodlights also drew complaints, but acoustic screening and controlled lighting would address the main concerns.

The Titwood site sits inside the West Pollokshields Conservation Area and belongs to a club that dates from 1890, with a clubhouse designed by the Victorian Glasgow architects Clarke and Bell. Architect and planning commentator Niall Murphy said the Pollokshields application had generated “loads of objections” and argued that the club needed to diversify to survive, but he also said a feasibility study and fuller pre-application consultation should have been used to deal with residents’ concerns earlier.

Application 25/00991/FUL was valid on 2 May 2025 for the installation of two covered padel tennis courts at 32 Hughenden Road, with lighting, landscaping and associated works. Hillhead Sports Club and Gancho Padel Ltd were named in connection with the proposal.

The Titwood application appeared in Glasgow’s weekly planning lists in 2025 and again in March 2026 as a proposal for three padel courts with acoustic screens.