Approval for Mullingar Athletic padel courts

Mullingar Athletic AFC have been granted planning permission for an extension of their facilities at Gainstown.

Planners for Westmeath County Council have granted permission for a development consisting of the construction of two padel courts each 20m x 10m. The permission covers the installation of a panoramic glazed exterior surround with an additional high ball stop mesh at both ends of the courts and four floodlight posts on each court.

Plans cover the construction of a concrete path surround and artificial grass to court waiting area and the removal of the existing five-metre-high wooden pedestrian lamppost and all associated site services.

A padel court is a specialised, enclosed playing area measuring 20m x 10m, about one-third the size of a tennis court, designed for playing the racquet sport padel. It’s enclosed by glass walls and mesh fencing, allowing the ball to rebound, which makes the game highly tactical, social, and accessible.

The planners report said that the proposed development currently has a clubhouse, community hall and outdoor pitches. They said that the proposal was “acceptable in principle” subject to assessment.

Permission was granted subject to five conditions. Those conditions are adherence to the submitted plans, no advertising hoarding, the cowling of floodlights, along with water and wastewater consideration.

The planners received the application on March 1, with a decision reached last week.