The short version. You will need planning permission. Noise and floodlighting are what councils and neighbours care about most; if any home is within 50m, budget for specialist noise and light surveys, and talk to the neighbours before you apply.
Why you need consent
A padel court is a permanent structure with 4m-high walls, floodlights and a concrete ring-beam foundation, so the LTA's 2025 guidance is clear that formal planning consent is required. The person developing the site is responsible for getting it, and most builders leave it out of their quotes.
Noise
Padel is louder than it looks. The solid racket and the ball against glass make a sharp, repetitive pop, and evening sessions are when neighbours are home. The LTA says that where a home is within 50m of the court, noise surveys are likely to be needed. Common mitigations are siting the courts away from houses, acoustic screening, and limiting late-evening hours.
Floodlights
Recreational courts need at least 300 lux at court level, with the fittings at least 6m above the playing area. The LTA asks lighting designers to show the tilt angles of the fittings so the planning authority can judge glare onto neighbouring properties. Light surveys are likely if homes are within 50m.
Greenfield sites
On greenfield land, biodiversity net gain rules apply: the development has to deliver a 10% increase in biodiversity value. A planning consultant can advise on how to meet it.
Giving your application its best chance
- Choose the position on the site with the most distance from homes.
- Engage neighbours early and keep them informed through the process.
- Commission noise and lighting assessments up front if homes are within 50m.
- Propose sensible opening hours and booking rules for late evenings.
- Use a planning consultant if the site is sensitive.
Source: LTA, Padel court construction guidance note (2025). This page is general guidance, not planning or legal advice.
Quick answers
Do I need planning permission for a padel court?
Yes. The LTA’s guidance says building a padel court requires formal planning consent from the local authority, and that obtaining it is the site developer’s responsibility; most contractors exclude it from their quotes.
How close can a padel court be to houses?
There is no single national distance, but the LTA advises that if a home is within 50m of the court, noise and light surveys by specialist consultants are likely to be needed.
Why are padel courts noisy?
The solid racket hitting the ball and the ball striking the glass make a sharp, repetitive sound that carries further than tennis, especially in the evening. Siting, screening and opening hours are the usual mitigations.