Since submitting a planning application last summer, Padel Pass and HRFC have been working closely with St Albans District Council's planning department to identify a permissible scheme for our 4-court padel venue at Harpenden Rugby Club.

We have made good progress and incorporated the council's feedback and requests in a new application.

Padel Pass is submitting the revised application imminently, and we are confident of a positive outcome given the changes made, with an opening date planned in summer 2027.

The council place significant weight on local support for projects like this, so we'd like you to help us demonstrate just how much support there is in the town for this padel venue.

To show your support:

Visit https://padelpass.co.uk/local-support-padel-harpenden-rugby-club/ and enter your details to confirm your support

Email our ward councillors to let them know you back the project and explain why the padel venue at Harpenden Rugby Club would be so good for
the town.

Their details below:

Councillor Sue Griffiths - Cllr.S.Griffiths@councillor.stalbans.gov.uk

Councillor Ayesha Rohale - Cllr.A.Rohale@councillor.stalbans.gov.uk

Councillor Kevin Timmons - Cllr.K.Timmons@councillor.stalbans.gov.uk

Here are some of the reasons we believe the padel venue will be a great addition to the town:

Unmet demand - Around 6,000 of 35,000 Harpenden residents already want to play padel, yet the town has only 2 uncovered courts, currently operating at over 90% occupancy from 8am to 10pm, and 100% at peak times.

Covered Courts Mean Year Round Play - Harpenden has no covered padel courts, with the nearest covered courts already serving c150k residents in St Albans and c240k in Luton. Covered courts will mean year round play for Harpenden residents, which they currently cannot access at extremely busy out-of-town venues.

Securing Long Term Financial Stability for HRFC - The development gives Harpenden Rugby Club, a community sports hub and sporting pillar of the town, welcome financial support, allowing them to reinvest in their facilities and secure the club's long-term future.

Inclusive wellbeing - Padel is low-impact, social and easy to learn for all ages groups. Padel Pass has already provided spaces for 1000 people
on free intro to padel sessions for local residents to try the game and get more active.