Club clears hurdle on park tennis plan (From The Oxford Times)

Club clears hurdle on park tennis plan

6:50am Saturday 26th May 2012 in Wantage

A TENNIS club has gained planning permission to build new courts and a clubhouse on a public park.

Wantage Tennis Club is to take over and refurbish the two public courts in the town’s Manor Road Memorial Park, building four new floodlit courts and a clubhouse, and extending the car park.

The club, which is a registered charity, struck a long-term lease agreement with the council last year and got planning permission on Wednesday. It will use money made from the sale of its Foliat Drive base to fund the work, which could start in September.

The scheme came under fire last year with opponents arguing public land should not be used by a private organisation.

Club chairman Stephen Thompson said he hoped the club would be open next year and it would run the facility at a cheaper rate than the council.

He said: “The courts will be better, better run and easier to book. I’m hoping people will enjoy the facility.

“All in all I don’t think there any downsides. It should be good.”