Collective  “No to my padel” (NAMP)  published a study detailing the issues related to noise pollution from padel courts built near homes. After drawing up a worrying inventory, part 4 of this report focuses on  technical and regulatory solutions  to reduce or prevent these growing conflicts.

Remedial measures for existing sites

For existing installations which generate proven nuisances, several avenues are being considered:

  •  Limit opening hours  : This is the simplest solution to implement via a  municipal decree  or an  Justice decision Banning play early in the morning or in the evening (after 20 p.m.) immediately reduces the inconvenience felt by local residents.
  •  Install noise barriers  : Acoustic barriers are already used in other sectors (roads, railways). To be effective, they must be  sufficiently high, thick and close to the sound source . Their effectiveness, however, depends on the configuration of the site.
  •  Use acoustic hooding  : This is a more complex but radical solution: covering the ground completely (indoor structures) or partially with acoustic canopies above the windows. This significantly reduces noise propagation.
  •  Move or close a lot  : As a last resort, if the previous solutions are deemed ineffective or inapplicable (technical reasons, town planning constraints, or lack of investment by the operator), the dismantling or relocation of the tracks may be imposed.

Preventive measures for future projects

The collective insists on the need for a  upstream anticipation  to avoid conflicts:

  •  Respect minimum distances from homes  : Some municipalities now require a distance of at least 100 meters between land and the nearest dwellings.
  •  Integrate an acoustic study from the building permit phase  : This allows the risk to be assessed and the project to be adapted (choice of terrain, orientation of the tracks, addition of noise protection).
  •  Favor indoor or semi-covered structures  : More and more clubs are making this choice, which protects against bad weather, extends the annual practice time and significantly reduces nuisances.
  •  Train operators and raise awareness among communities  : Better knowledge of acoustic constraints avoids design errors which can be costly later (conflicts, litigation, dismantling).

The importance of acoustic expertise

If in doubt,  call on an acoustic expert  remains the best way for project leaders to “do it right from the start”. As the precautionary principle reminds us: It is always easier to design a suitable project upstream than to have to correct or dismantle it later..

Specialized companies such as  ECHO Padel , an expert in noise issues related to padel infrastructure, offers precise analyses and recommendations to prevent and assess risks. An initial investment that can prevent many future disputes.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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