FORMER Wimbledon star David Lloyd's plans for a tennis centre in Hull Road, York, have won important backing from planning officers.

City of York Council's Planning Committee is being urged to refer Next Generation Clubs' scheme - involving indoor tennis, badminton and squash courts, swimming pools, and a gym and fitness centre - to the Secretary of State because it is in the green belt and departs from the development plan.

But officers are also recommending that, provided the Government does not wish to call it in, they should be given delegated powers to grant approval - subject to a series of conditions.

The recommendations to Thursday's planning meeting come despite 48 letters of objection from people worried about the nuisance to neighbouring properties, increased traffic congestion and pollution, the loss of important open space in an otherwise built-up area and the impact on wildlife.

Strong objections have also been received from the Multiple Sclerosis Society over the impact on Woodlands, a nearby Respite Care Centre for MS victims.

Next Generations recently revised its original scheme in an effort to reduce the effect on Woodlands, but the society's consultants claim that noise and light from the re-sited car park will be worse than before.

The scheme, which is a joint application by Next Generation and the College of Ripon and York St John, is also being opposed by York University, which says membership would be beyond the reach of the majority of students and staff and claims that the centre will result in 2,460 traffic movements a day onto and off Hull Road.

But the council has also received 11 letters of support, saying York needs such an indoor tennis centre and the scheme would be an asset to York.

The Lawn Tennis Association, which for many years has been trying to establish indoor courts within the York area, also backs the centre. It says it will provide opportunities for tennis players who currently have to travel to Leeds or Hull to use indoor courts.

mike.laycock@ycp.co.uk