Tennis club fails in floodlights bid

STOCKTON Heath Tennis Club has failed in a fourth bid to gain planning consent for floodlighting on its courts at Delphfields Road, Appleton.
The borough council’s development management committee refused permission for the scheme after nearby residents lodged objections on the grounds it would lead to a loss of residential amenity.
Appleton Parish Council also objected and the committee was told there had been opposition from 19 nearby residents and a protest petition signed by 46 people. Officers had recommended the scheme be approved.
The club has twice before had similar applications turned down, in 1994 and 1995 and withdrew a third application last year.
Currently, when members need to play under floodlights, they use courts at the nearby Bridgewater High School.
The committee was told neighbours were worried about the glare of the floodlights affecting homes and the possibility of noise and disturbance of an evening.
Officers argued that the lights would be designed to avoid spillage of light into neighbouring homes and gardens. They proposed a condition to prevent the lights being used after 8pm during the week and to prevent their use at all on Sundays.