A tennis club hopes to be second time lucky as its planning application for a pavilion next to the courts in Hove Park goes before councillors.
The Hove Park Tennis Alliance has applied for permission for a timber building next to the tennis courts and near the table tennis tables.
But in January, Brighton and Hove City Council’s Planning Committee refused permission for a similar building close to a white mulberry tree.
The applicants then consulted the Friends of Hove Park, the three Westdene and Hove Park ward councillors and the council’s parks and gardens team, Cityparks, and opted for a new location.
The new application is due to be decided by the Planning Committee on Wednesday (6 December), with officials recommending approval.
More than 80 comments in support have been lodged with the council and almost 50 objections while a petition has been signed by 206 people objecting to the plans.
The tennis alliance has a 25-year lease from the council to operate as a volunteer-run, not-for-profit community sports club.
The building would provide seating, toilets, storage space and a refreshment area.
In its planning application, the alliance said: “The timber pavilion is designed to utilise the available space without being overbearing to its surroundings.
“No trees are removed to facilitate the building, the bio-solar roof and the planting of small trees and wildflower grasses within the proposed site area will help improve the site’s biodiversity and the timber and green roof aesthetic is sympathetic to the park surrounding.”
The tennis club, which has 400 adult members and 100 juniors, would share the pavilion with the Russell Martin Foundation, which runs the football pitches.
An anonymous supporter, whose details were redacted by the council, said: “The proposed pavilion will make a vital difference to the use of the tennis courts at Hove Park.
“By providing a changing room, toilets and storage, players will have access to vital facilities.
“The Hove Park courts have been immeasurably improved with the addition of floodlights. But without the facilities provided by a clubhouse, players are discouraged from using them.”
Several objectors criticised the size of the building and the choice of location, citing lost views of the park.
An anonymous objector, whose details were also redacted, said: “I am concerned that the building is too big and too tall for the location. It will restrict the current open view between the café and the tennis courts.
“It will no longer be possible to watch tennis from the café or the benches along the path. It also decreases space for children to play where they can be safely seen from courts or café.”
The Planning Committee is due to meet at Hove Town Hall at 2pm on Wednesday (6 December). The meeting is scheduled to be webcast on the council’s website.
What a great idea
Hove Park “Community” Cafe have been very proactive in organising objections and petition, can only imagine the reason being is if this goes ahead it will impact on their resubmission of a previously expired planning application for the redevelopment of HPCC site, which included felling of an an ancient elm and other large trees which everyone seems to have forgotten about.
If they have an issue re location suggest they should take it up with the Planners who suggested this spot.
This will be a shared facility for the community…not quite so sure that can be said about the commercial enterprise now branded as HPCC…
The application hasn’t expired as the owner started work on it including felling the tree this means that planning permission will never expire
Well reminded Gareth
Man I wish there was less ‘x good y bad’ rubbish going around. If the cafe, tennis courts and existing toilet/gym block people could just get there act together there might actually be a chance for a cohesive multi use plan in place. One that makes it more flexible, easier to manage and reduce the difference doubling up of facilities.
Sorry dream land mode has now disengaged , time to find a small change to rant over for no good reason.