Tennis Club takes first set in row over court plans

tennis

Controversial plans to improve the facilities at Alderley Edge Cricket Club, so they be used more, have been partly decided.

The Moss Lane club submitted two separate planning applications. The first of which requested permission to replace five grass courts located on the west side of the club grounds with astro-turf, replace an existing grass-covered bank between the current grass courts with a retaining wall and introduce a 5m fence around these courts.

The second application sought permission for the installation of new flood-lights on courts 1, 2, 4, 5 on the west side of the grounds and to replace the temporary lights on court 14 on the south east corner of the grounds.

The re-surfaced tennis courts and floodlights would enable Alderley Edge Cricket Club to meet the increasing demand and allow play both in the evening and the winter.

The current grass courts can only be used for a maximum of 50 days per year due to the weather, whilst all-weather courts would enable play all year round.

The floodlights, which were intially intended to be in use between the hours of 3.30pm and 10pm, would enable further use of the courts, particularly during the winter months.

The Council received objections from just under 20 neigbouring residents who raised concerns regarding noise and light pollution, traffic generation and the lack of parking, loss of privacy and that the proposed fencing is not in-keeping with the residential and conservation area.

Whilst others wrote in favour of the plans, which would enhance the facilities and enable more people to play tennis more often, plus petitions were received both for and against the applications.

In response to the feedback, revisions were made to the scheme, including reducing the hours of operation so the floodlights are turned off at 9.30pm, changing the lighting design for one court and adjusting the layout of some lights so they face away from the neighbouring dwelling.

Additionally the club proposed to reduce the height of the fencing, between the neighbours' gardens and the courts, to 2m alongside two of the courts.

The first application, reference 17/0345M, to replace the grass courts and install fencing has been approved on the condition that the fencing along the western boundary, adjacent to court 6 and part of court 7, is no higher than 2 metres.

The second application for the floodlights, reference 17/0346M, is not yet decided.

The two applications can be viewed on the Cheshire East Council website by searching for planning reference 17/0345M and 17/0346M.

Tags:
Alderley Edge Tennis Club, Planning Applications
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement