Bradfield College tennis plans set for second serve

The college has applied to build six artificial clay courts at land to the north of New Road, complete with 24 floodlights, a new access route and 10 disabled car parking spaces.
A previous application, supported by former British number one tennis player Tim Henman, was withdrawn following concerns over the impact of the scheme on the character of the area and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), and the justification of the scheme given the unsustainable location.
A revised scheme found no love with West Berkshire Council planners, who recommended that the application be refused on sustainabilty grounds at a recent eastern area planning committee.
Speaking at the meeting chairman of Bradfield Parish Council, Andrew House, said that while the courts would provide local benefits, the parish council was reluctantly objecting because the lighting would be intrsusive in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and distracting to drivers.
Former college bursar, Trefor Llewelyn, said that 90 per cent of the courts usage would be for community use, providing “an exceptional opportunity for West Berkshire to increase its sporting facilities.”
However, planning officer David Pearson said that the courts could be built in a more sustainable location in the district and that the Lawn Tennis Association had been particularly unhelpful with their feedback.
Highways officer Paul Goddard added that an extra 148 vehicle movements a week were predicted in the area if the plans were approved, as the rural character of the site provided little opportuity to travel to the site but by car.
Rallying to support the scheme Graham Pask (Con, Bucklebury) said: “Bradfield College has been in existence before the word sustainabilty was used.
"It’s a major employer and benefactor of the local community but more than that it opens its doors to the community to facilites that could not be afforded elsewhere.
"This is a rural location but it’s a community facility. To put it bluntly this is a golden, once in a lifetime opportunity.”
And Tim Metcalfe (Con, Purley-on-Thames) expressed disbelief in an apparent contradiction of views from the council.
“For 10 years we have been asking for a swimming pool in the east and have been told we can’t have one because there is a sustainable site at Bradfield College,” he said.
Although councillors approved the application a final decision will be made at a district planning meeting owing to the application going against council policy.