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.

Harrogate-based Sporting Influence Foundation to tackle 24 climbs in 24 hours
Giant vegetables take centre stage at Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
Alpamare waterpark to be sold to 'protect its future' with private investment
Roadworks causing growing disruption in Harrogate and Knaresborough, officials admit
Yorkshire artist brings Harrogate's Old Market Hall back to life
Martin House hosts first children's palliative care conference
Judge appointed to lead inquiry into North Yorkshire mental health trust
Harrogate group raise more than £40,000 with cycle to Bordeaux
Scotton pub wins Tripadvisor award for seventh year running
Almost 2,000 people sign Knaresborough landslip petition
Police appeal after Range Rover damaged in Knaresborough
St Aidan's teacher recognised at national Teacher of the Year Awards
Bramham Park to host its first Christmas market
Harvest gown unveiled for flower show's 50th anniversary
Ripon's Mario's Restaurant named among Tripadvisor's top 10%
Harrogate Rugby Club reveals plans for clubhouse expansion and padel courts
Police appeal after Lister House minibus vandalised in Ripon
Council urged to "show me the money" and provide evidence of home-to-school policy change savings
Kate Mosse and Prue Leith among stars of Harrogate Literature Festival
Ripon among UK's top cities for missing parcels


