Plans to build two new padel courts and install eight more floodlights at Kenilworth Tennis, Squash and Croquet Club have been submitted to Warwick District Council.

The courts would replace the existing tennis practice area, and the club hopes that it could attract up to 100 new members just for padel.

A new overflow car park and bicycle rack are also included in the application.

In its proposal the club said: "The installation of two padel courts will bring an exciting new facility to Kenilworth Tennis, Squash & Croquet Club and to Kenilworth and its surrounding areas.

"Facilities will be available to the public with the ultimate goal of increasing overall members.

"It will therefore help establish padel as a new sport in the UK as outlined in the Lawn Tennis Association's padel development plan."

The club currently has nine tennis and six squash courts, as well as two croquet lawns.

But if the application is approved, the Crackley Lane site would then have the only padel courts in Warwickshire.

The two 10m by 20m courts would have 4m high fencing at each end, dipping to 3m on the sides.

The new floodlights would need to be at least 6m high.

KTSCC intends to offer pay-and-play as well as membership for the courts, and will run coaching and taster sessions for padel.

Objection

Residents Hilary and Howard Wood of Convent Close have already objected to the application.

Complaining about noise, their statement said: "The type of rackets, the glass walls, the mesh wall and the floor surface are well known to cause considerable noise levels.

"These factors, combined with the type of player this attracts, are not conducive to reasonable acoustics in what is a rural/agricultural environment."

And with the fences of the proposed courts to be 4m high, Mr and Mrs Wood added: "Screening of the enclosure walls (some between 4m high and well above the existing fences or hedgerows/trees) particularly to the to the South and East aspects, is not adequate.

"Indeed, no further screening seems to have been considered in the application."

Kenilworth Town Council discussed the plans last week.

Whilst members did not object they said "an assessment should be made of any potential noise and light nuisance".