RESIDENTS have spoken out against plans for new floodlit tennis courts.

Kendal Lawn Tennis Club hopes to create four more hard-surfaced courts at the tennis club on Appleby Road, Kendal, plus parking for 40 cars.

The plans prompted eight letters of objection, stating that more floodlights would be unacceptable because the existing lights already spill into the back rooms of houses on Spital Park; and that traffic congestion is already a problem because of cars visiting Queen Katherine School and the retail park around Morrisons supermarket.

Speaking at South Lakeland District Council's development control sub-committee this week, Spital Park resident Brian Harrison said a number of neighbours were opposed to more tennis courts because they felt their views had not been considered.

They were concerned trees might have to be felled which afforded residents some protection from noise and light.

"There's a feeling among the residents that the architect is wanting to ride roughshod over the residents of Spital Park," said Mr Harrison.

"There's also a question of whether there's a necessity for further development, as the courts are not used in full most of the time."

Allan Thomas, president of Kendal Lawn Tennis Club, said land east of Appleby Road - the location of the courts - had been allocated for sports and leisure use.

He believed the plans met with every planning guideline, and with highways requirements.

Mr Thomas said access into the tennis courts would be widened to remove congestion, and a small footpath would be provided for people to cross the road.

He said the club had never received any complaints about the floodlights.

Mr Thomas said anybody could join Kendal Lawn Tennis Club, and it had a very strong junior membership.

Planners agreed to visit the site before making a decision.