Neighbours have objected to a tennis club’s plans to put up floodlights covering three courts but they are outnumbered by those supporting the scheme. Thirteen objections were sent to Brighton and Hove City Council about Dyke Park Tennis Club’s plans for 10 floodlights, each 26ft (8m) high. But a report to the council’s planning committee said that 41 comments were received in support of the proposal.
The report recommends that councillors grant planning permission when the application is due to be decided today at a meeting at Hove Town Hall. The tennis club said in its application that from the middle of September to the end of March the shorter days prevented members with full-time jobs from being able to use the courts, except at weekends. The club has 120 members, with floodlighting expected to boost numbers, and the courts are available to the public on a pay-to-play basis.
Floodlights could boost after-school opportunities. The proposed floodlights would be used on week nights and weekend evenings when required from dusk until 9pm and on winter mornings from 7am. Light pollution would be reduced by using integral internal louvres to direct light at the court only.
The application said: “The increased community access to three floodlit courts will result in a significant increase in public pay-to-play opportunity and to utilise the courts throughout the year. “It is anticipated the proposals will also result in club membership growth for all membership groups..