A tennis club is hoping to serve up an ace at a meeting with councillors tonight to gain backing for new facilities.

Hadleigh Park Lawn Tennis Club needs to rally support for its expansion plans as town planners have already hinted the scheme would not get the green light.

Following an informal approach to Castle Point Council, the club was told of concerns about the impact on Green Belt, traffic and nearby residents. The plan is to turn the existing development at Elm Road into homes and put up three new buildings, four tennis courts, a new clubhouse and a car park nearby.

Members of the town planning committee will tonight consider whether the chairman, vice-chairman and officers can meet the club for discussions.

Ian Burchill, the borough's director of planning, explained why such a proposal might not get permission. He said: "The reasons for this related principally to the fact that the land for the new tennis club was within the Green Belt and this proposal would not comply with the council's policy as set out in the local plan.

"In addition there were a number of other concerns raised about the proposal, notably the impact of the expansion of the club facilities on traffic using Elm Road and the adverse impact upon the amenity of residents in that area."

There were also concerns that the proposed site, to the west of Elm Road, was close to an ancient monument on Hadleigh Downs which would mean consultation with English Heritage before any decision.

Any outcome from the proposed talks would only be noted as informal observations and the club would still need to submit an application through the committee.

Tonight's meeting starts at 7.30pm at the council offices in Kiln Road, Thundersley.

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