THE future looks brighter for the borough' lawn tennis club after it was granted permission to improve the lighting at its Grays complex.

As reported on Thurrock Nub News in July, Thurrock Tennis Club submitted an application for improved floodlight at its base on Montgomery Close.

It was a third bid by the club, who saw previous applications in 2020 and 2022  refused after objections by nearby residents.

Support for the third application, which uses recently developed technology came from some of the neighbours and further afield, while there was still some resistance locally. In total 56 people commented on the application.

Some neighbour objections relating to the increased traffic impacts, parking pressures and risk to pedestrian safety as a result of the extended hours of use linked to the proposals. The Council's Highways Officer raised no objection to the proposal as there would be no change to the existing parking provision, which serves the club all year round.

How the new lighting will illuminate the courts from low level fixings.

Recommending approval, planning officers said: "Overall, it is not considered that the revised proposal would result in a greater degree of harm to the visual amenity and character of the street scene, or neighbouring amenity than the extant consent.

"If anything, the degree of impact has been lessened by the change in design and improved technology."