Helping Sports Clubs Expand with Expert Padel Noise Assessments

At Peninsular Acoustics, we specialise in providing detailed, reliable noise assessments that help sports clubs successfully gain planning permission for new padel courts. With the growing popularity of padel across the UK, we’ve worked with several sports and tennis clubs to measure and manage the acoustic impact of their current and proposed facilities, ensuring they meet local noise regulations while keeping the game enjoyable for everyone.

Why Measure Padel Noise?

As padel courts become more common in the UK, many sports and tennis clubs are expanding their facilities to adapt to new padel courts. The noise problems occur because these tennis clubs are often already in residential areas where padel poses a different noise profile in the acoustic environment. This is great news for sports enthusiasts but can sometimes raise concerns among local residents about potential noise disruption. Padel courts, with their enclosed design and fast-paced gameplay, produce a distinctive noise profile in comparison to tennis. The combination of ball strikes, wall rebounds, and player activity can create sharp, transient noise events. Without accurate noise assessments, these sounds can be underestimated or misrepresented, making it harder for clubs to demonstrate compliance with local planning authorities.  

Padel Court Design

A standard padel court design comprises a 4m high structure with U-shaped glass ends (up to 3m in height) and a metal cage central section down the side of each court. Due to the acoustic transparency of the caged element, sound emanates predominantly via the longer sides of the court and, as the cage is an inherent part of the game, cannot be swapped out for the glazed element which both produces sound when a ball hits the glass but also shields noise from the court itself.

Padel Court Noise Measurements

Peninsular Acoustics have built up significant noise data by measurement of padel, along with measuring Tennis to understand the difference between a sport widely played across the UK and the new up and coming game of padel. Example measurements  are seen in the photographs below.

Differences between Padel and Tennis

The chart below shows the different spectrum data between a tennis and padel strike with ball and racket. It shows that the measured levels of padel strikes are often higher than tennis at all frequency bands by around 1-8db. 

Some differences between the noise profiles of padel and tennis:

• Padel uses a glass and metal cage with the ball bouncing off these elements radiating sound
• Padel is played on a smaller court meaning the match is of a faster pace and of higher intensity. 
• Padel is often played in groups of 4, whereas tennis matches will often be 1v1.
• Padel games on average have a shot being hit every 2-3 seconds whereas tennis has fewer shots at around every 3-5 seconds.
• The strings on a tennis racket produce less noise than the solid padel rackets.
• Padel creates more frequent and sharper noise peaks, partly due to the solid racket and smaller ball with lower pressure and the sound of it rebounding off the court’s walls

What Does This Mean for Sports and Tennis Clubs?

At Peninsular Acoustics, we offer a full range of noise assessment services designed to support sports clubs throughout the planning and development process of their proposed new padel courts. Understanding the difference between tennis and padel is a key element in understanding the current noise environment and future noise environment where padel courts are proposed to be introduced.

Accurate noise assessments are vital when:

• Applying for planning permission for new courts.
• Ensuring compliance with local noise requirements.
• Responding to resident concerns with transparent, evidence-based data.

For sports clubs, detailed noise data makes it easier to demonstrate that their facilities are operating responsibly, while also helping them develop effective noise control strategies.

Our Padel Noise Assessment Methodology Includes 

• On-site noise monitoring: We conduct thorough assessments during the proposed operating hours ensuring we understand the exiting acoustic environment.
• Computerised Modelling: We create 3D acoustic models using CadnaA as well as bespoke sound level contour maps to visualise the effect of noise on surrounding areas. 
• Comprehensive reports: Our detailed, data-driven reports are tailored for planning applications, providing clear evidence of compliance with noise regulations.
• Mitigation advice: If noise levels exceed acceptable thresholds, we provide practical recommendations—such as acoustic barriers, court positioning strategies, or scheduling adjustments—to reduce noise impact.

Expert Acoustic Consultancy and CadnaA Noise Modelling

Noise modelling is a common tool used by acoustic consultants to model padel noise levels impacting on surrounding residential area. The noise model is calibrated using the measured noise levels of padel at different locations allowing the consultant to model the development site before and after the introduction of new courts.

The acoustic consultant will then be able to assess the noise impacting on different facades of buildings, with the ability to adjust the development layout to allow it to work better within the noise environment and introduce barrier for example such as fences close to noise sources to add a layer of noise mitigation.

Sports Clubs We’ve Worked With to Introduce Padel. 

At Peninsular Acoustics, we’ve worked with over 15 sports clubs across the UK, providing expert noise assessments that have helped them successfully gain planning permission for new courts. Our detailed, evidence-based reports give clubs the confidence they need when applying for approval, while also helping them address any noise concerns from local residents. 

We have helped clubs up and down the country:

• London and throughout The Southeast
• Birmingham, Leicester and throughout The Midlands 
• Manchester, Liverpool and the surrounding Northwest area
• Yorkshire and Northumbria 

Some of the clubs we’ve supported include:

• Formby Village Sports Club – Provided a noise assessment and mitigation advice for the development of 3no. new padel courts.
• Wolverhampton Lawn Tennis and Squash Club – Assisted with noise assessments for new tennis and padel courts, helping the club expand its facilities.

• Padel Shot Northwich Park – Conducted detailed noise assessments, supporting their successful planning application for new padel courts.
• Hilton Cobham – Provided a noise assessment whereby we used CadnaA acoustic modelling for the development of 3no. new padel courts at the Hilton Hotel Cobham in the heart of London. 

Partner With Peninsular Acoustics 

By applying high-resolution measurement techniques, we help clubs demonstrate compliance with noise regulations, giving planning authorities the clear, robust data they require for approval.

At Peninsular Acoustics, we’re committed to delivering precise, reliable noise assessments that help sports clubs and developers strike the right balance between growth and community harmony.

If you’re planning a new sports facility or need expert acoustic consultancy, get in touch with our team today.

Contact us today to see how we can support you further. We can be reached on 0151 933 9733, by email at [email protected], or by filling out a contact form on our website.