Residents upset at tennis club’s plan appeal victory

Jubilation has turned to despair for people living in Elm Road, Hadleigh, after a Government planning inspector overturned Castle Point Council’s decision to reject Hadleigh Lawn Tennis Club’s plans.

Residents have called the proposals for a 16ft-tall clubhouse an “eyesore” that will destroy the privacy of nearby homes, while they also fear tennis players will block their small residential street with cars. Linda Spurgeon, 62, of Elm Road, said: “We’re absolutely devastated.

“These plans are going to change our lives.

“We can’t believe the planning inspector has ignored the fears of people and the views of the council, which is the voice of local people.”

The club, which has three courts and 97 members, applied for the new clubhouse in 2009 to replace the current building, which is more than 50 years old and lacks changing rooms and showers.

It was recommended for approval by the council’s planning officers, but the application was rejected by the development control committee, which agreed with residents’ concerns about parking and increased noise.

However, planning inspector Ray Yorke has ruled the building can go ahead following an appeal by the club.

He found residents would not suffer from noise or loss of privacy as the building was at least 25m from the nearest homes and had no windows facing them.

The club plans to provide 12 parking spaces with the building and he found this was enough.

But residents in Elm Road believe the decision is wrong.

Pat Palmer, 81, who has a home that backs on to the tennis club, said: “Why do they have to build the clubhouse so high?

“Before I could see as far as Kent, now I’m going to have to stare at this great big thing.”

Trish Lepulelei, 58, claimed club members leave as many as 12 cars in the street during the summer, which means people living in the road have to park elsewhere.

She added: “Imagine what it’s going to be like when they expand it.”