A much-loved tennis club which has been in Stanmore for nearly 100 years is under threat from a proposed development.
An application has been submitted to demolish the clubhouse at The Elms Tennis Club (ETC) and build eight five-bed properties on the tennis and badminton courts.
The current owner of the land has put forward the application to build on the site on Pynnacles Close when the lease expires in March next year.
ETC, which provides tennis to over 350 young people each week, are objecting to the proposal on the grounds that the current facilities are the only ones of their kind in the borough. They also argued that the loss of the facilities would have a great impact on families, local schools and the adult population. They added that the proposed housing would be out of character and would negatively affect the amenity of surrounding properties.
Jason O’Connor, managing director at ETC, said: “The club has been generational. So many people have an affiliation with the club from Stanmore and the vicinity. We offer an opportunity for children to play tennis with specialist mini courts designed for three to nine year olds, something no other tennis club in Harrow has. We have 12 coaches delivering up to 60 hours of coaching per week as well as SEN groups, adult tennis for all levels, and drop-in sessions in the summer.
“Stanmore needs a place for the community to continue to play tennis, socialise and keep fit. The support from the community has been overwhelming and we will continue to fight for the good of the area to continue running a thriving tennis club as we come up to almost a century of history.”
Harrow Council’s Planning Committee will review the plans and decide whether to give them the green light.
The developer has been contacted for comment.
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