Dore and Totley Tennis Club’s planning permission for low level flood lighting has been unanimously rejected by Sheffield City Council. 

The club hoped that the floodlights would help to “maintain and support the future viability of the club” to ensure they can act as a community hub for both residents and club members. 

The tennis club proposed six floodlights that would focus on the centre court to provide light that is match standard and would also provide the necessary light for play on the other two courts. 

If they got permission the club would have implemented a 9pm shut off for the lights to minimise the potential disturbance for residents in the evenings.

The club requested these flood lights because they would allow the club to use their courts and pavilion outside of the daylight hours during the autumn and winter. 

Dore and Totley tennis club stated in their application that these lights would provide a greater flexibility for their members to play after work or school as well as reducing the risk of members leaving the club due to limited playing hours. 

The club has previously submitted applications for similar flood lighting in both 2012 and 2013, both of which were rejected by the city council. 

Chris Heeley, planning officer, said “there has been mixed objection and support”, for the floodlighting. 

In the rejection it was stated that the floodlights would be detrimental to the living conditions of the residents due to the increase in noise and disturbance that would be generated by the clubs extended running hours.  

The local planning authority also believed that there would be an unacceptable increase of light into an otherwise low light environment which would cause disruption to the residents. 

Councillor Garry Weatherall said “it’s disturbing your time in your garden or in your house,” in reference to the ambient light generated by the flood lights. 

The Local Planning authority has said that it is sympathetic to the clubs desire to enhance its facilities and improve the experience for its members but the proposed changes would have too much of a significant impact on the residents to approve the application.