THURROCK Tennis Club is hoping for a brighter future after submitting an application for improved floodlight at its base on Montgomery Close in Grays.

Floodlighting at the club has been something of a contentious issue over a number of years.

Two applications to lighten up the courts were rejected by Thurrock Council, including one in December 2020 when neighbourhood residents' objections held sway.

An aerial shot of Thurrock Tennis Club.

The club returned to the council with another floodlighting application in 2022 and though officers initially recommended rejection, the application was formally approved in January 23 and permission granted for the installation of new low level telescopic LED floodlighting.

Dozens of club members had lobbied the council for approval and outweighed the opposition of some residents.

To help finance the new lighting the club ran a successful fundraising camping, accruing £17,000 via a crowdfunding appeal.

Now the club has submitted an application to upgrade its floodlighting.

The club says lighting overspill on neighbouring properties will be minimal.

It says recent developments in lighting technology mean it wishes to install Tweener lights, which it says is a modern and increasingly popular lighting solution offering enhanced performance with lower impact on surrounding properties.

The new application wants permission to light up all three of its courts.

The council's planning portal already shows a number of comments in support of the application.