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Project Overview
Client
Winchester Racquets and Fitness
Location
Winchester
Date Complete
2026
Sector
Leisure
Background
Winchester Racquets and Fitness is widely recognised as one of the premier sports clubs in the South of England. With a long standing reputation in tennis and squash, the club has continued to evolve, adding comprehensive fitness facilities and becoming the number one destination in Hampshire for tennis, padel, squash, and fitness.
The club boasts an extensive range of courts, including four indoor courts, five artificial grass courts, four artificial clay courts, two macadam courts, and three padel courts.
The padel courts are central to the club’s modern offering. They are available for casual bookings with family and friends, as well as organised coaching sessions and competitive matches. As padel participation has grown rapidly, so too has court usage, making noise management increasingly important.
Challenge
While padel has become one of the fastest growing racket sports in the UK, it presents a unique acoustic challenge. Independent research and acoustic assessments have shown that padel produces sharper and more intrusive peak noise levels than traditional tennis. This is largely due to the use of solid rackets, the frequency of ball impacts against glass back walls, and the partially enclosed design of padel courts, which can reflect and amplify sound.
Noise from padel courts is not generated by a single source, but by a combination of factors acting together. Ball impacts against glass panels create a distinctive cracking sound, while strikes on wire mesh fencing generate metallic, high frequency noise that can travel considerable distances. The solid padel bat produces a harder, more percussive sound than a strung tennis racket, and because padel is a social, doubles-based sport, there is typically more vocal noise during play. Longer rallies also mean impacts occur more frequently, increasing both average and peak noise levels.
These combined characteristics have made padel noise a growing planning and operational concern across the UK, particularly for clubs located close to housing. Winchester Racquets and Fitness is situated in a residential area, making it essential to find a robust and effective solution that would protect neighbouring properties while allowing padel to continue to thrive at the club.
Challenge
To manage padel noise responsibly and ensure long-term compatibility with the surrounding residential environment, a bespoke acoustic barrier solution was designed and installed around the padel courts.
We supplied and installed approximately 33 metres of 4 metre high Jakoustic® Reflective acoustic barriers, with an additional 5 metres of 3.3 metre high acoustic barriers.
Due to the overall height required for effective noise control, this installation used the Jakoustic® Commercial and Highway version of our Jakoustic® Reflective acoustic barrier. This system is specifically designed for taller applications and is constructed on galvanised steel I beam posts to provide the necessary structural strength and stability. The steel I beams are fitted with timber nailing battens bolted to the front of the posts, allowing the acoustic fence panels to be securely fixed while maintaining acoustic performance and providing an attractive timber face. Our Jakoustic® Commercial and Highway acoustic barriers are available in heights of up to 12 metres and can be specified as either reflective or absorptive, depending on the requirements of the site and surrounding environment.
The installation also included one matching single leaf swing gate, measuring 2 metres high by 1 metre wide. All steel components were fully galvanised, ensuring durability and resistance to corrosion in an outdoor sports environment.
The chosen Jakoustic® Reflective acoustic barriers are specifically engineered for noise control in many settings including sports and leisure environments. They offer up to 28 dB noise reduction, achieved by reflecting sound away from sensitive receptors rather than allowing it to pass through.
The acoustic barrier design is based on heavy section, planed timber V shaped boards that interlock tightly, minimising gaps through which sound could escape. This construction provides the surface mass and airtight performance required for effective noise control.
The installed acoustic barriers provide the surface mass and tightly interlocking construction required to prevent sound passing directly through the fence line. By eliminating gaps and air pathways, the acoustic barriers significantly reduce the transmission of the sharp impact noises generated by padel play. With sections reaching up to 4 metres high, the acoustic barriers are well aligned with recommendations commonly used in padel noise assessments.
In addition to acoustic performance, the timber acoustic barriers provide a natural, unobtrusive appearance that complements the setting of a premium sports club, while also delivering durability, security, and long term value through a 25 year guarantee. In addition to their acoustic performance, the barriers provide a strong security benefit, with a profile that is free from hand and footholds and therefore difficult to climb. They also provide privacy for players and residents on the other side of the fence, increasing enjoyment and comfort for all.
As demand grows for effective and sensitive ways to manage padel noise, acoustic barriers have emerged as one of the most practical and visually acceptable solutions for clubs operating near residential areas. The installation at Winchester Racquets and Fitness clearly demonstrates how high performance acoustic barriers can successfully mitigate noise while maintaining the quality, usability, and appeal of the facilities. By protecting the amenity of local residents and supporting uninterrupted play, this project shows how well designed acoustic barriers can turn padel courts into a welcomed community asset, enabling the sustainable growth of the sport while safeguarding local quality of life.
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Products Used
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