WESTWARD HO! Tennis Club has submitted plans for its £2.5 million redevelopment.

The club has applied to Torridge District Council to create an indoor racquet centre at Silford Road in Northam.

The plan would include a move from its current Avon Lane home in Westward Ho! and include four indoor tennis courts, four flood-lit outdoor tennis courts, three squash courts and facilities for table tennis and badminton, with a refreshments area.

The club has carried out consultation with the community regarding the club's development at Silford Road and of the 358 responses, 294 supported the proposal, 18 objected and 46 gave neither a positive or negative response.

The club had previously considered building at Tadworthy Road and Burrough Farm, but their consultation showed the Silford Road site to be preferable.

Andy Lobato from the club said: "This project is intended to provide first class facilities for the whole of the local community. Westward Ho! Tennis Club is a community amateur sports club (CASC) and is a not-for-profit organisation. CASC status ensures that the facilities are accessible, affordable, for the benefit of the whole community and is in the ownership of the local community.

"The project has been underway since 2005 and the design has used the topography of the Silford Road site to minimise the environmental impact of the proposed development with the building being built into the hillside which along with appropriate landscaping will provide a visually attractive, sympathetic development."

Mr Lobato hopes that if the project gets the green light from Torridge District Council's planners it will be completed during 2011.

The development is being funded through the sale of the Avon Lane site and with funds from the Lawn Tennis Association, England Squash and English Table Tennis Association.

The club will remain at its current site at Avon Lane until the new facility is available thereby ensuring availability during construction.

Northam Town Council had agreed to submit the planning application on behalf of the club, but this request was withdrawn by the club after some councillors had raised concerns about it.

Jeremy Horn lives near the site and has been objecting to the proposal.

He said: "None of us can get our heads around the need for such a massive building in Northam when just down the road is the Tarka Centre that has ample capacity.

"I have looked at similar setups around the country all of which are situated in large cities.

"We have also been checking the use of the existing courts, they have not been used a great deal throughout the summer — I know it hasn't been the best of weather but fine for playing tennis."