North Yorkshire Council has approved plans by Harrogate Racquets Club to resurface its tennis courts and install new LED floodlights.
Almost 100-year-old Harrogate sports club to get upgrades North Yorkshire Council has approved plans by Harrogate Racquets Club to resurface its tennis courts and install new LED floodlights. The members club on Firs Road was founded in 1924 on the same site and as it approaches its centenary next year, there will be a major upgrade of the facility which offers a place to play tennis, table tennis and badminton. It includes four tennis courts with artificial grass but planning documents state they have been in use for 14 years and are wearing out. The foundations under the courts have also “deteriorated significantly” and the fencing needs replacing. Three of the four courts are floodlit but the lights were installed more than 20 years ago. The plans will see the structure under the courts reinforced, the surface of the courts replaced with new state-of-the-art artififical grass, new fencing installed and floodlights on courts 1-3. Plans submitted by St Aidan’s CE High School in 2020 to install new floodlights on its sports pitches proved to be controversial due to the potential for light pollution on neighbouring proprties. Harrogate Racquets Club said it sought expert advice and believes the new lighting will reduce the flare currently emanating from the courts and will meet guidance on obtrusive light. The club sent letters to neighbouring properties and received six responses where no concerns were raised about the plans. The club has outreach programmes with local schools including Oatlands Primary and Junior schools, Harrogate Ladies College and Pannal Primary School. It also runs coaching programmes with over 200 children participating in the weekly programmes across all three sports during term times as well as easter and summer camps. It’s situated in a residential cul-de-sac off Leeds Road on the south side of Harrogate, opposite the Oatlands Marks & Spencer supermarket. The facilities are open every day of the week between 8am and 10pm. By Thomas Barrett, Local Democracy Reporter Read more local stories from Your Harrogate here.

Police appeal to locate wanted Minskip man
Cricket legends offer to help rebuild Studley Royal pavilion
First look inside Harrogate's new interior design shop
Councillors question if council-owned housebuilder will ever turn finances around
Harrogate Town sign Bolton goalkeeper on loan
Strong Ofsted result caps milestone year for Red Kite
Calls for urgent repairs to potholes near Knaresborough
Harrogate's Squinting Cat seeks new operators
Singo Bingo night raises more than £2,650 for Dementia Forward
Harrogate charity sets £10,000 target for Nepal flood victims
Police appeal after woman sexually assaulted on The Stray
Harrogate care team to trek Sahara for Saint Michael's Hospice
Residents offered free 'life-saving' blood pressure checks
Harrogate travel agency to open first high street shop
Animal testing protest planned in Harrogate this weekend
Plans submitted for new pump track in Pateley Bridge
Unique blindfolded dining experience returns to Harrogate
Council plans £18million expansion of temporary housing
Appeal after men chase e-bike rider in Harrogate
Police appeal after cyclist seriously injured near Harrogate


