Simon Roberts, a retired university lecturer, has won a planning appeal against East Suffolk Council regarding the floodlights for his padel court. The council had previously rejected retrospective planning permission for the 20-foot tall lights, stating they would "significantly erode the intrinsic landscape qualities of the area" and harm the local landscape. Roberts, 69, had installed the lights at his award-winning eco-home in Blythburgh, Suffolk, last year, after receiving permission for the padel court itself. The court cost approximately £80,000 to build.
Roberts appealed the council's decision to the Planning Inspectorate. The inspector ruled in his favor, allowing the lights to remain, provided they operate between 7 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. and adhere to specific illumination limits. The ruling acknowledged that the lights' measured illumination levels were well below 1 lux and that photographic evidence demonstrated effective glare shields, limiting light spill into the surrounding area. The intermittent nature of the court's use was also a factor in the decision.
Roberts stated he was relieved by the outcome, expressing concern that if the lighting was compromised, the court would be unplayable. He noted that while the lights required him to install shades, which involved working at a significant height, the final result allowed for enjoyable play. He also commented that the lights might even be beneficial due to the darkness of the local road.
Roberts and his wife, Sarah Bruml, have lived at the property since 1997. Their holiday cottage was transformed into a sustainable, award-winning eco-cabin between 2020 and 2021 when they moved to Suffolk full-time. The decision to build a padel court was driven by a desire to encourage their children to visit and play, despite Roberts himself not being a frequent player of the sport. He described padel, a game often likened to a mix of tennis and squash, as increasingly popular in the UK due to its social and accessible nature.
East Suffolk Council initially granted permission for the padel court but imposed restrictions on lighting, requiring a biodiversity strategy. Roberts stated he consulted planners and designed custom lighting, including plywood shades, to avoid disturbing local wildlife, particularly bats and foraging animals in nearby trees. However, the council still rejected the retrospective application, citing concerns about dark skies and the undeveloped character of the area.
Following the appeal verdict, East Suffolk Council acknowledged the Planning Inspector's decision. A spokesperson stated they welcome the condition to restrict the hours of illumination to preserve the dark night skies of the Coast and Heaths National Landscape.