Residents have written to Oakham Town against Oakham Tennis Clubs request to install floodlighting.
They raise the issue the of the Tennis Club, failing to honour a pledge to apologise for its lack of manners and for a groundless threat made in a past communication.
They have attached a League Tables for 2009 - 10 this appears to show the club does not do that well and their contribution to the league is quite small.
I should get my scanner working here goes to retyping their three page letter:
12th February 2012
Dear Mrs Lucas
Oakham Tennis Club Floodlighting Request
Thank you for the Council's letter of the 27th January informing the Residents Group of the above.
Were were aware of the Oakham Tennis Club's response which immediately followed the Town Council's refusal, as Landlords, to their request to proceed with an application to Floodlight the 4 Courts alongside, and close to our properties. We cannot believe that the Club initiated their next official request just 24 hours after the Council's refusal. There seems to be little difference except for one Court less and some changes of hours.
Times of use variations only afford the Club increased options to continue to present "changed" requests. It seems reasonable to conclude, therefore, from their actions, that they will continue to re-submit further requests with changes in numbers of lights, usage times, with whatever presentations they select, in an attempt to wear down both the Resident's and Council's resolve, to gain, at very least, the Foothold they are seeking.
If such a strategy is allowed to succeed, the Residents will be constantly under pressure with the Club continuing, in the same manner, towards achieving their ultimate objectives so clearly set out in their extremely contentious initial letter and questionnaire distributed to local Residents (for information no apology for content yet sent to Residents who were mailed). As a senior member of the Club stated following the meeting on the 23rd November, "....if we get 1 we will get 4"
We believe that the above confirms the views which we expressed in our previous verbal and written presentations.
This assertion is also endorsed by their now regular reference to our family homes as only 5 houses (somewhat selective) which are impacted or effected, and whose Residents well being and enjoyment of their homes should apparently be dismissed as a mere irrelevance and inevitable consequence for the sake of a more convenient game of tennis. Such statements, along with others, confirm that they privately acknowledge the intrusive, unnatural, and unacceptable impact that Floodlighting would have upon our homes and wildlife friendly environment.
We must make it absolutely clear that we are in no way against Sport. However, any development, especially of this nature, must always ensure that this is not to the detriment of others, either at the Vale or any similar location.
Without entering into a detailed analysis, there is plenty of opportunity for Tennis in Oakham and nearby, during dark evenings for anyone wishing to play. The Catmose Community Sports Centre, as one example, provides facilities and Coaching courses across the age range. Apart from weekends for all ages, at the Vale, during this period, juniors also have the benefit of half-terms, Christmas holidays and school Tennis.
Whilst much could be said, we will not comment on the content of their formal "Appeal" relating to the Councils decision on the 23rd November, but believe it is necessary to respond to their current request to proceed towards the Floodlighting of 3 Courts (not actually specified), and the consequences.
We remain totally opposed to Floodlighting of any nature. The facts, and our detailed objections that these proposals would have a profoundly detrimental impact upon enjoyment of our home environment, and the natural wildlife friendly surroundings, did not change after just 24 hours.
Every location is different for a variety of reasons. As previously stated we have attempted to provide a factual credible and substantive argument. Within our written and verbal presentations, the Club's own data has been used to highlight the intrusive and visual impact of the prohibitive proposed 6.7 metre height of the lighting and columns (well above upstairs windows ): essentially a floodlit arena. The spillage chart clearly demonstrate that there is spillage, which is far from minimal. This would result from Floodlighting which they refer to as modern and "state of the art", and even better than that presented in 1997, despite the undisputed fact that the "spec" (even the brochure) is identical in everyway to that submitted in 1997.
Our presentations to Members were not based upon the lease conditions, although they do appear to provide the protection for neighbouring residents on a number of counts. As possible useful information for consideration, from our research, Light Pollution is generally defined as artificial light that is allowed to illuminate or intrude upon areas not intended to be lit, whilst Light Nuisance is described as an adverse state of affairs that interferes with an individual's use and enjoyment of his or her property.
Unfortunately, we have felt it again necessary to take time to monitor usage to ensure that an accurate picture of demand is maintained. Making a very fair allowance for any adverse weather conditions during the period monitored form 3rd January until 2nd February incl. (snow fell on 3rd February), there was a total of 747 hours available Court usage (based on 9.00am to 4.30pm) with take up of only 83 hours (approx 11%). This very much reflects the generally observed significant reduction for both weekday and weekend useage during November and December compared with usage figures previously provided. Perhaps this indicates that many do not consider that this is an all year outdoor sport for them.
This stressful situation has now been hanging over the heads of the Residents for 12 months, and it would appear that there is now possibly in place a relentless strategy to achieve what the club want regardless of the cost to others at this location, This is presumably a result of the club's negative responses (by whoever) to previous excellent opportunities which would have allowed them to achieve their desired development of this nature at an alternative suitable site - which has been their stated and well documented objectives for some years.
We have considerable support form Oakham Residents, and many others, who are aware of the situation, but we have not raised a petition nor suggested that they email or write to the Council as we believe this to be an inappropriate exercise, for obvious reasons, except for the support of the National organisation, the Campaign for Rural England, which we have already submitted.
We would, therefore, ask Members, as the Landlords, to put an end to this situation, which we are sure none of the Club's Committee and Members would accept for their own homes, and take whatever action is available to support and protect all the Residents affected, by acknowledging that this quiet residential area (their own Website description) and its wildlife friendliness is not for Floodlighting of any nature, at any time, for the many reasons presented.
in addition, as a point of general importance, is the huge emphasis now being placed on trying to help the environment by reducing energy usage and polluting carbon emissions, especially from unnecessary lighting.
No doubt Member will refer to our previous responses but, if the Council intends to set aside additional time for private verbal presentations we have already confirmed that we would fulfil that requirement.
We do not believe that the Council are "living in the dark ages", (quoting one of the Club Member's letters to the Press) but simply reflecting the importance of the family home environment, so necessary in today's Society, and that this should not be compromised.
In summary, we would again ask Members, as the Landlords, to reject this request, and using whatever options are at their disposal, decide that Floodlighting is not acceptable in such an unsuitable location, putting a stop to this dreadful process, and allow the Residents and families to fget on with enjoying thier homes and lives in peace.
The Planning and Parks Committee will be meeting Tonight 22nd February 2012 at 7.00pm. Please click on the link to view or download a copy of the agenda for the meeting
A large turnout is expected if there is the council will conduct its business in Art Gallery space to accommodate numbers
Oakham Tennis Club, Chairmans Letter to Oakham Town Council
The tennis club leases land at a knock down rent,
land intended to be used for the benefit
of all the people of Oakham.
There is a key at Oakham Library
something the Club is a little shy to publicise
The Key allows Free use for any member of the public
to take and use
any time subject to the library being open.
