A TENNIS club has applied for planning permission for engineering and stabilizing works to existing tennis courts, comprising new retaining walls, replacement court fencing and access steps.

The application is made on behalf of the Westfields Tennis Club, based at Westfields Tennis Courts in Richmond.

Westfields Tennis Club, started in 1938, it is an Unincorporated Association of Club members, with Community Associated Sports Club status.

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Fully affiliated as a registered tennis venue of the LTA with two high quality tarmac courts, it has currently approximately 100 members.

WTC comprises two tennis courts. The upper court is located perpendicular to the road frontage and is at a higher level, the lower court is at to the rear of the site and set at a lower ground level, some 1.5m below the upper court.

A small timber club house sits to the back of this court and at the rear of 71 Hurgill Road.

According to a planing statement submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the application seeks consent to carry out engineering and stabilizing works to both courts.

The topography of the site is challenging and there has been surface subsidence on the courts.

Engineering consultants have recommended retaining walls be constructed in the following locations:

• New retaining wall faced with timber sleepers – to replace the banked ground adjacent the east side of the upper court.

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• New retaining wall – to be rendered; to replace the grass bank retaining the west side of the lower court and the stone wall between the two courts.

• New safety steps to be installed to access the upper court.

In addition it is proposed to carry out some minor engineering works around the lower court.

New mesh fencing will also be installed around the courts to replace the existing fencing.

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The engineering and stabilising works as proposed are essential to retaining and future proofing this much valued recreational asset.

The works will secure the safety and usability of the tennis courts.

The retaining walls are functional and necessary.

In order to soften their impact the wall adjacent the highway and to run along the side of the upper court will be faced in timber railway sleepers. A lower grass bank will sit at the base of this screen.