Padel tennis courts are rapidly appearing in the Overport and Morningside areas, raising significant health and noise concerns for nearby residents. Many claim the noise levels from these courts exceed the permissible limits for residential zones, causing distress.
A new padel court is currently under construction at Ridge Park College on The Avenue, close to McCord Eye Hospital and directly opposite the San Felice Complex, where many elderly or ill residents reside. According to these residents, no public consultation occurred before the land, previously a wildlife habitat, was cleared. Residents only became aware of the padel court project months later, when construction started.
Padel tennis, a fast-paced racket sport, differs from regular tennis with smaller courts, hard surfaces, and enclosed walls, which amplifies noise. Yunus Moolla, a resident of San Felice, expressed deep concern over the potential impact on residents and patients recovering at McCord Hospital, saying, “The noise will affect the health of both our residents and McCord Hospital patients recovering from eye operations, which could lead to severe headaches.”
Moolla believes the construction is primarily driven by Ridge Park College’s desire for income, disregarding the wellbeing of the community. “This impacts not only our physical and mental health but also the property values in the area,” he said.
The Overport, Berea, and Musgrave areas already have more than five operational padel courts, including one at the NMJ Hall. Residents living near NMJ have lodged numerous complaints with the eThekwini Municipality and local ward councillor Remona McKenzie, questioning how the facility was approved without consulting residents. The NMJ NexPadel courts operate from early morning until late at night, causing continuous disturbances.
Naseer Abdulah, a resident living behind NMJ, described the sound as “like that of a firearm being shot” and said that, despite soundproofing his bedroom, the noise persists. “The screaming and vulgar language from players makes it worse. Some days, they play from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.,” he added.
Moolla and the San Felice Body Corporate requested a noise assessment from eThekwini Municipality, but after no response, they commissioned one through the Durban University of Technology (DUT). The assessment confirmed that the noise violated South African National Standards (SANS) regulations.
Citing the National Environmental Management Act (NEMA), Moolla stressed that “noise from any activity” constitutes pollution and must be minimized. He explained that SANS sets a maximum noise threshold for suburban areas at 57 decibels, while padel courts produce noise levels above 60 decibels. “This illegal noise is avoidable and must be prevented,” Moolla said.
Residents are now demanding accountability from the government and health departments, arguing that their constitutional right to a safe and healthy environment is being compromised.
Although NMJ’s courts are said to be enclosed, residents believe more soundproofing is necessary and are urging the facility to enclose the sides of the courts to reduce noise. Meanwhile, construction at Ridge Park College continues despite the noise assessment findings. Moolla expressed frustration over the lack of action and transparency from stakeholders. He warned that if they fail to provide clear plans to protect the health of residents and hospital patients, legal action will be taken.
eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, confirmed that a building plan was submitted to the Land Use Management Branch (LUMS) and approved in February 2024. The Ridge Park College property is zoned for education, and the plan includes sporting facilities. “Since sports and recreational facilities are classified as free entry use in this zone, no consultation with residents was required. The development is being undertaken by the Department of Education, which owns the site,” said Sisilana.
On the proximity of the development to McCord Hospital, Sisilana noted that Ridge Park College is an existing school with established sports facilities, and the addition of padel courts aligns with the site’s current use. Regarding noise concerns, the City’s Health Unit has reviewed the noise assessment submitted by San Felice BC but stressed that a site-specific noise assessment is necessary as different locations yield varied results.
Sisilana confirmed that Ridge Park College would need to conduct a formal noise impact assessment, which the Health Unit will review. Mitigation measures will be recommended based on the findings, if necessary. “There is no indication that the sporting facility will negatively impact residents’ health,” she concluded.
Moolla also received an email from an eThekwini Air Quality Officer, stating: “The Health Unit has reviewed the noise assessment by San Felice BC, but comparative noise readings from another padel court are not sufficient, and a site-specific assessment must be conducted.”
Moolla criticized eThekwini’s response, saying, “The City is contradicting itself. Noise impact assessments are often done before developments. Illegal noise is still illegal and cannot be justified.”
Noise assessment expert Don Mottian, who conducted the report, said, “Environmental noise pollution is second only to air pollution as a stressor, and increasing noise levels are early signs of an area’s decline.” He explained that the noise generated by padel courts, especially those not fully enclosed, exceeds the ambient thresholds set by the Environmental Conservation Act, the National Environmental Management Air Quality Act, and the South African National Standards.
Mottian added that eThekwini’s stance is misguided, noting, “We conduct noise impact assessments using architectural plans without needing a physical site. This demonstrates the impact of noise on nearby residents. The noise at Ridge Park will exceed legal limits, putting residents’ health at risk.”
Attempts to reach Ridge Park College for comment were unsuccessful at the time of going to print, and an official at NMJ declined to comment saying the organisation was not in a position to comment at this stage.
