Sports club gets green light to light its tennis courts, despite opposition from local residents

A sports club’s application to install 12 floodlights to illuminate its tennis courts so that play can continue until 10pm during autumn and winter has been approved despite objections from local residents. Urmston Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club’s application to illuminate three of its tennis courts had previously been rejected by Trafford Planning Committee.

However, a revised motion to floodlight just two pitches, which would switch off automatically at 10pm, was passed unanimously. Derek Knowles, managing director of nearby retirement housing block Albany Court (Urmston) Management Ltd, told committee members that the noise and disturbance from the sports club would “cause additional inconvenience for local residents” if the floodlighting plan was approved.

“We are seriously concerned about the aim of this project – that it could be a Trojan horse to convert the pitches into five-a-side football pitches or multi-use playing fields.” However, club chairman Simon Allcroft responded: “I want to make it absolutely and completely clear that there are no plans for five-a-side football at our sports club and there never will be.

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“There are several five-a-side football facilities in the area and Urmston Sports Club will not replace the facilities for our members that we have had for 178 years.” During the discussion of the motion, Councillor Bilal Babar said: “I sympathise with the local residents. They have a right to live a peaceful life. I can understand their concerns.”

“But at the same time I would be reassured to hear that the number of floodlights (requested) has been reduced from three to two pitches.” His colleague, Councillor Simon Thomas, added: “I agree with the rejection of the application for floodlights for three pitches.

“But it is very encouraging to see the work the club has put into this. It is a long-standing sports club. It seems to me that they have done everything they can to ensure that the floodlights do not encroach on the gardens.

“You will see some lighting but I don’t think that is a reason to refuse the application.” There were letters of objection from 10 properties near the club on Moorside Road, but letters of support from 57.

Supporters said the club’s membership had increased by 30 per cent in the last four years and that the floodlights would attract more members, keeping membership fees down and allowing the club to host competitive league matches.

Opponents argued that Albany Court was a block of flats for pensioners and residents had chosen to live there because it was “quiet and peaceful”, so the close proximity of the floodlights to their properties was a cause for concern.

They also feared increased noise pollution and an impairment of their privacy and view. Nevertheless, the committee approved the application.