A ‘thriving’ tennis club has revealed plans to install ten floodlight columns so its courts could be used all year round until 10pm.
Lostock Tennis Club on Regent Road has lodged its proposals with Bolton Council to install the eight metre high columns, which will mean all five of its courts would benefit from lighting.
Although the club is in a residential area, supporting documents say the new system would ‘minimise light spill outside the courts area, meaning less impact on any neighbouring properties compared to the present’.
If the scheme was approved the club say tennis players could use the courts more in the non-summer months until 10pm on weekdays and 8.30pm at weekends.
Representing the club in documents submitted in support of the plans, Peter Coe, from GrassRoots Power, said: “Lostock Tennis Club was established in 1923 and is a thriving club.
“The club has five all-weather courts, which were laid down in 2019. Currently two of these courts are floodlit.
“The 1960s clubhouse was also given a makeover in 2019 with the help of a local authority grant and now boasts excellent changing facilities, disabled facilities, a small coffee lounge, a lounge bar, a small car park and a function room, which is used regularly by a salsa group, a carers’ group, a fitness group and for christenings and children’s parties.
“The club membership currently stands at around 180 members, but is growing fast, especially in the younger age groups, as a result of the excellent coaching setup.”
He added that the new lighting will benefit the club by providing ‘the ability for additional courts to be used in the evening during autumn, winter and spring months’.
In conclusion, Mr Coe said: “The new and improved lighting and periods of use that the proposed development would not only enable the club to further develop its playing standards, it would enable the better use of the courts during the winter months, expanding opportunities for the local community to enjoy the club’s success and use of facilities.
“The comprehensive lighting design has shown that careful positioning and design of the new lights and choice of manufacturer will minimise the visual impact. The national and local planning policy provides support for carefully designed recreational and sporting development.
“It is clear that the proposed development will bring significant social and economic benefits and have no material adverse impacts. On this basis the planning application should be approved.”
The application will be decided on by Bolton council in the next few weeks.
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