A SPANISH businessman is hoping to set up the first padel tennis club in the South West at Nailsea School.

North Somerset Times: Fernando Monserrate-Ataz and wife Silvia.Fernando Monserrate-Ataz and wife Silvia. (Image: Archant)

Fernando Monserrate-Ataz has applied to North Somerset Council to turn two courts at the school into padel tennis courts with floodlights and a retractable roof.

Padel tennis is hugely popular all over Europe and Fernando, who has been playing the sport for 10 years, now wants to bring the sport to South West England.

Fernando, who lives in Nailsea, has arranged for a professional Spanish padel tennis player and coach to move to Nailsea if permission is granted, to set up a club for people of all ages.

He said: “There are only five or six padel tennis clubs in England and this will be the first facility in the South West.

“Padel tennis is really popular in Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Sweden and I hope it will be popular over here.

“The idea is to make sure the facilities are used by as many people as possible. I think it’s going to be really good for the community.”

Padel tennis is usually played in doubles on an enclosed court about half the size of a tennis court.

The balls and scoring method are the same as normal tennis, but the court has walls which the balls can be played off, similar to a game of squash.

Fernando has come to an agreement with Nailsea School about using the courts outside of school hours, but a number of neighbours have objected to the proposal as they are concerned about extra noise and light pollution.

Commenting on the council’s website, Martin and Jo Jones, of Ash Hayes Drive, said: “Since the all-weather pitch became operational, we have been subjected to levels of noise and light pollution that have seriously encroached on our times of rest and relaxation.

“This current proposal to operate the padel tennis facility until 10pm, seven days a week, is bound to add to the noise and light pollution that we are already experiencing, regardless of the assurances to the contrary.

“This can only further disrupt our living conditions.”

A decision on the application is expected to be made by North Somerset Council next month.