University plans to build indoor tennis facility

York St John University has applied to build a tennis hall at its sports park in Haxby Road, which would be open for the whole community to use if approved.

The building’s internal floor area will measure 50 by 39 metres, to allow enough space for three hard-surfaced courts.

A planning statement submitted on behalf of the university says the area designated for the property has been in use for many years, and used to be the Sports Ground of the Rowntree Company.

It adds: “The proposed development will create a new flagship tennis centre that will enable York St John University to significantly improve its facilities and existing tennis programme, and
provide year-round opportunities for tennis players of all ages and standards including university students, local schools, tennis clubs and local people.

“It will be a permanent structure comprising a white tensile membrane roof supported by a glue-laminate wood framework with metal bracing, with pressed steel sheet faced cladding at its lower level.

“The development will replace two existing outdoor courts to the east of the sports hall, use of which is dependent on fair weather, with a modern and attractive indoor facility enabling guaranteed tennis and a significantly greater level of use throughout the calendar year.

“These facilities will be serviced from the Sports Centre building adjacent. A covered walkway from the existing access on the north side of the Sports Centre Building, to the access to the
Tennis Hall, is proposed.

“The site is in an accessible location approximately 2 km to the north of York city centre, within easy walking and cycling distance of the Lord Mayor’s Walk campus 1.7 km to the
south. It is well served by local bus routes providing regular services between Haxby and the city centre.”

The planning application for the tennis hall is now being considered by York City Council.