After 24 years, tennis club still seeking floodlights

A TENNIS club that has been seeking permission for floodlit courts for 24 years is making a fresh bid to Warrington planning chiefs.
Stockton Heath Tennis Club, in Delphfields Road, Appleton was last refused consent in March following objections from Appleton Parish Council and nearby residents.
Planning officers are now recommending the proposals be approved – but there are still objections from the parish council and from nearby residents.
Twenty one residents have objected and a petition signed by 48 people has also been submitted by objectors.
The club has seven full size courts, five of which are all-weather astroturf plus two junior courts.
Their application is to install floodlighting of five courts and upgrade two shale courts to all-weather.
There would be 21 lighting columns but the lighting would not be used at weekends.
Officers say the proposed lighting scheme has been scaled down since the last unsuccessful application to reduce the level of light spillage. As a result, lighting would be reduced well below the level that could cause concern.
However, the objectors – including the parish council – argue that that the lighting and noise will still have an impact on nearby homes.
They point out that the club has the use of nearby floodlit courts at Bridgewater High School which they have used for many years.