A TENNIS club's bid to sell its courts for housing development has been found at fault.

Planners have thrown out proposals by Crosby Homes to build five detached houses at Temple Tennis Club in Winstanley Road, Sale.

Officers had recommended the scheme be approved and members of Trafford's development control committee were warned their decision would be difficult to defend in the event of an appeal.

But after hearing that more than 240 residents had written letters of objection, councillors voted to refuse the application.

The committee was told members of Temple Tennis Club wished to sell the site and join Brooklands Sports Club. The capital released would be used to build three additional all weather courts and a junior court at Brooklands.

Councillor Kathy Bullock said the existing courts at Temple were below the size stipulated by the Lawn Tennis Association for safe play.

To survive, the club would have to double its subscriptions and its membership.

In the past, pupils from Sale Grammar School had used the club to play home games but were now unable to do so. But if the plan was approved and the merger with Brooklands went ahead 40 talented youngsters from the school would be able to use the super new facilities.

But Cllr Barbara Keeley Huggett said the access road to the site was too narrow and Winstanley Road was a fast road with an accident record. It would compromise road safety to have traffic emerging from a narrow access with poor visibility.

Residential development was not in accord with the council's new policy direction for open space because it would remove an open area used for sport in a built up area.

A number of local residents had indicated their willingness to help keep the Temple club going.

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