April 2026 newsletter
Ready to build with OnPoint Ltd, licence delays, and the long-term benefits padel courts could bring to Napton.
Newsletter April #2
Here’s our latest update.
1. Court Construction: With our contractor, OnPoint Ltd on board, we are ready to start construction immediately.
2. Licensing Update:
- Napton Parish Council (NPC) has advised that it is still not able to grant us a licence.
- We understand that NPC submitted details of the proposed licence/sublease to the Diocese solicitors for review in January 2026.
- On 13 April 2026, NPC wrote to Napton Padel Charity requesting a financial contribution of £1,200 “To help cover the remaining costs of securing the licence..”. The Charity’s trustees initially viewed this request positively, based on the indication that it would contribute towards the remaining costs of securing the licence. However, at the NPC meeting on 13 April 2026, the Council indicated that it was unable to confirm that no further legal costs would be incurred, creating uncertainty despite the wording of the letter. Considering this, the trustees are understandably cautious about committing to potentially open-ended costs without clarity on the total financial exposure or certainty of outcome.
- This ongoing uncertainty is causing further delay to an already extended process. It now represents a significant risk to the delivery of the project, and we are seeking to arrange urgent discussions with NPC to resolve the position as quickly as possible.
3. Benefits of Padel Courts in Napton
Beyond the obvious benefit of creating a high-quality facility for local people to enjoy padel in the village, the project also offers significant long-term financial benefits for the community. Evidence from both national and local clubs operating two padel courts, like we propose, indicates the potential to generate an annual operating surplus of £80,000–£100,000. As Napton Padel Club is a registered charity, all surplus income must be reinvested for community benefit. This creates a powerful opportunity to support and enhance a wide range of local facilities and initiatives, including:
- Improvements to the sports field, pitches, courts, clubhouse, and associated facilities
- Support for the Village Hall
- Contributions to our Church
- Investment in the village school
- Enhancements to our footpaths, bridleways, and cycle routes
- Support for Brownies, Scouts, and Guides
- Funding for local sports, leisure, and recreational clubs
- Assistance for local athletes and participants
- Contributions to the Parish Council to help accelerate wider community improvements
This represents a significant and sustainable source of funding that could benefit the whole village for many years to come. It is therefore vital that we do not lose this opportunity due to delays in securing the licence required to build and operate the courts at Napton Sports Field. This is a rare opportunity to deliver lasting community benefit, and we are keen to hear your views.
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Figures in earlier newsletters were early projections and have since changed.