Council to revamp tennis courts and scraps pay to play plans

Civic leaders have announced they will refurbish the tennis courts at the Oval in Gloucester and have ruled out charging people to play there.

Gloucester City Council had been in talks with the Lawn Tennis Association about revamping the facility but their proposals included setting up a booking system and charging people to play there.

A survey found that most people opposed the proposals and now council leaders have ruled out charging to play.

Instead, they will use around £30,000 to £35,000 of developer contribution funds to resurface the courts and install new fences.

Culture and leisure cabinet member Andy Lewis said the LTA’s proposals were not right for the people of Moreland and the wider city.

“We want people to go there as and when they want to use it,” he said.

“All councillors and the public down there are in agreement. We don’t want to pay and that’s all there is to it.”

He said the LTA’s proposals included spending some £150,000 on the site but would involve an online booking system and people who previously had the facility for free would have to pay.

“The LTA came in with this idea that they would refurbish all the tennis courts as long as people pay for it.

“In this day and age where they’ve been having it for free for so long, why do we want to charge people?

“There’s a utility cost crisis and everyone’s bills have gone up. We’ve got some section 106 money left over where we can resurface it all and put the fences back up and make it nice again.

“Then between the council and the Friends of The Oval we are going to look after it. The LTA’s plans were wrong for the people of Moreland, and it’s wrong for the people of Gloucester and that’s all there is to it.”

Moreland’s two Labour councillors who have been campaigning against the proposals to charge people to play from the outset are extremely pleased with the council’s decision.

Group leader Terry Pullen (L, Moreland) said his councillors were shocked earlier this year when they heard of MP Richard Graham’s plans to refurbish the tennis courts, but at a cost to local people.

He said: “It just goes to show his lack of understanding and how out of touch he is with the needs of local people, particularly as many families are facing tough times and a cost of living crisis.

“Thankfully the council have scrapped his proposals and have agreed to resurface and invest in the courts themselves. I welcome the council’s decision.”

Fellow Cllr Tree Chambers (Lab Moreland) also applauded the council’s decision.

She said: “Local people have always enjoyed free use of the courts at The Oval for healthy family exercise and we have campaigned hard to make sure it stays that way.

“I believe the council’s decision not to pursue charges is the right one and am really pleased that our requests to resurface the courts have finally been agreed.”

Mr Graham has been approached for comment.

Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

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