Housing plans for sports club land

Consultants Christopher Strang Associates state that the club “has been experiencing difficulties, firstly in the decline in membership of the tennis section of the club and, more significantly, a steady decline in use and popularity of the club.”
Consequently it needs a source of income to carry out “essential refurbishment and improvement to facilities.”
They go on to report that the decline in club fortunes is “significant” and can only be reversed by a cash boost to enable repairs and improvements.
The statement adds: “The capital derived from the sale of the three tennis courts for residential purposes would enable investment in the fabric and facilities of the club, to make it more attractive to membership, and to the general community, and would also allow the refurbishment of an existing derelict tennis court, which is indicating on the submitted plans, and the provision of an all-weather, multi-purpose, synthetic surface area, further improving the attraction of the club.”
The applicants concede that the main issues raised by the proposal are its potential effect on the character and appearance of the area and on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB); highway safety, the fact it lies outside the settlement boundary and sustainability.
However, it adds: “Although the site is outside the settlement boundary, it is within the built up area of Lambourn, which is a proposed rural service centre.
“The site is previously developed land and is in a sustainable location. The proposed development will contribute towards the housing needs of the area and to the local economy, particularly having regard to resolving the problems of the Sports Club,
as previously referred to.”
The statement concludes that the proposal will “provide economic, social and environmental benefits” and will give a “new lease of life” to the club.
Comments, for and against, can be made by visiting West Berkshire Council website’s planning section and using the reference 14/01257/OUTD