Plans have been approved to transform the sports facilities at Hillsborough Park, including a new community café, two all-new padel courts and space for indoor fitness classes.
The site currently has four tennis courts, a pump bike track, and a multi-use sports area (MUGA), all of which have fallen into disrepair, becoming overgrown with moss and lacking any protection in winter months.
Darren Atkinson, 42, from Hillsborough, said: “This place is a wasteland for most of the year, so it needs bringing back to life urgently.
“I used to come here to play tennis with my nephew, but it’s just not possible anymore with the state of the courts. They’re dangerous.”
However, the decision to rebrand the area came after months of debate by the council, originally rejected by 18 of 30 representatives and facing criticism from several campaign groups.
Leah Byatt, from the community group led by members of the Socialist Party, ‘Save Our Parks’, said: “Land in Hillsborough Park is supposed to be protected from sale or disposal as it is a charitable trust park, and it seriously needs addressing and investigating.”
At a Planning and Highways Committee meeting on 2 April, the Council’s plans were heavily criticised as they would result in the loss of free-to-use sports facilities.
A planning document stated: “It is understood that the MUGA will remain as a free-to-use facility, but that there will be a charge for the other facilities proposed.”
Padel is a fast-growing sport in England, played on a small, tennis-themed court in a glass-walled arena. The simplicity of the game, the social aspect of playing in doubles, and it being relatively easy to pick up have contributed to its widespread appeal.
The complete proposal includes a new café/community space building, replacement tennis courts, a replacement MUGA, new mini-golf, padel tennis court facilities and an outdoor activity space, all sitting within the south-eastern corner of the park.
The scheme is proposed by Courtside Hub CIC in conjunction with the Council’s Parks and Countryside Department. Courtside Hub is a not-for-profit community interest company promoting physical activity through the transformation of local parks.
Hillsborough Park is located approximately three miles north-west of Sheffield City Centre, off the A61 Penistone Road and contains six Grade II listed buildings.
