Plan to turn former Youghal Carpets plant into padel courts

Eoin Whyte, whose company is seeking permission for change of use of the building, says it will be 'the largest padel centre in Munster and possibly the country' 

A planning application has been lodged with Cork County Council for the construction of potentially the largest padel complex in the country. Picture: Christy Parker

A planning application has been lodged with Cork County Council for the construction of potentially the largest padel complex in the country in Youghal, Co Cork.

Local company Eoin Whyte Services Limited is seeking permission for a change of use development from light industry to indoor recreation, including six padel courts, café, reception, seating areas, and changing and toilet facilities on the former Youghal Carpets site at Green’s Quay.

The company acquires and upgrades properties for companies seeking to develop their businesses.

Mr Whyte says a private interest has committed to letting the premises, subject to planning being granted.

Meanwhile, clearance and other preparatory work on the site is well advanced of what the company hopes will be a successful application.

Standing 8.5m high and measuring over 4,000sq metres, the building was constructed primarily to house weaving looms during Youghal Carpets’ golden era of textile manufacturing.

When the factory closed in 1984, the building passed to its smaller successor, Couristan Carpets, before it too closed, in 2006.

It reverted to storage under the ownership of Blackwater Shipping and Storage, before coming on the market following that company’s cessation in 2016.

Mr Whyte estimates the new purpose will cost an estimated €3m adding that “it will be the largest padel centre in Munster and possibly the country”.

Enjoying rapid growth, the sport of padel is largely a cross between tennis and squash.

The court is surrounded by glass and wire mesh, with the ball allowed to rebound off the surrounds.

Zoned for mixed-use development across tourism-related infrastructure, the location provides a town centre counterbalance against the ongoing regeneration of Youghal’s perimeter.

Thousands of visitors flock yearly to Youghal’s three beaches as well as its boardwalk, greenway, and leisure centre, but many of these visitors do not visit the town itself.

Meanwhile, Green’s Quay offers a panoramic view of the west Waterford hills across the narrow harbour, while being also within a racquet serve of a 3km riverbank walk with exceptional scenery.

The proposed development is expected to create about a dozen jobs. But, with an immediate catchment area of over 60,000 people, is expected to create many more through tourism and recreation.

Welcoming the plans, Youghal Chamber of Tourism and Development president Kay Curtin says it’s "a very exciting development and will add another new layer to Youghal’s ongoing emergence as a prime, family-friendly tourism and leisure destination”.

The council’s decision is expected on August 13.