Anger at Shropshire Council plan to turn tennis courts into car park

Shropshire Council wants to create a temporary staff car park at Shirehall to alleviate its parking problems.

This aerial view shows the tennis courts to the rear of Shirehall

But the move to allow cars to take over existing tennis courts has been attacked by playing field campaigners.

The planning application is to create additional parking on courts at the rear of the building in Shrewsbury. It will be discussed by the council planning committee next week.

The authority is proposing to use the courts, which have not been used for the last five years, for up to two years.

There are currently 328 staff parking spaces, 177 visitor, member and contractor bays, and an additional 182 car parking spaces in the overflow car park off London Road.

The planning application is to create additional parking on tennis courts at the rear of the building. Photo: Google Earth.

But case officer Shannon Franklin said it does not meet the current demand.

She said: "As a result, staff and visitors regularly utilise on-street parking within the residential area of Belvidere, particularly along Dark Lane and Belvidere Road.

"The provision of this additional car parking facility, albeit on a temporary basis, will reduce the on-street parking within the locality, reducing congestion, improving highways safety and improving the overall visual appearance of the residential streets on which multiple cars are currently parked."

Planning officers have recommended the application for approval, but the Shropshire Playing Fields Association said it would be a loss of community space.

A statement from the group said: "We believe this application poses a real threat to the whole future of this open space area and rather than it be destroyed and lost forever it should in fact be considered a jewel in the crown worthy of future investment by Shropshire Council.

"We propose the Council should consider resurfacing the two-tennis court area, to provide a multi-functional sport facility area that would be available to the local community at weekends and in the evenings."

It says in recent years Shrewsbury has lost access to a number of community facilities including four tennis courts and a grass pitch at Radbrook College, a football and cricket pitch at Copthorne Barracks, Shrewsbury Football Club's community pitch and a grass sports pitch at Meole Brace school.

Shropshire Council has said the site could potentially be returned to tennis courts after the two years.

Members will consider the application on February 15 at Shirehall.