Tennis court floodlights at Dulwich Sports Club, London SE24

What was proposed

The application sought to retain six 6.7-metre lights on court 1 and replace six 10-metre poles with nine 8-metre poles on courts 2 and 3.

“Proposal: Retention of flood lighting / lamps, on tennis court 1 and replacement of existing flood light poles and flood lighting / lamps, on tennis courts 2 and 3”

“The application involves retention of 6.7m high flood lighting / lamps on tennis court 1 and replacement of six existing 10m high flood light poles with nine 8m high flood light poles and flood lighting / lamps on tennis courts 2 and 3.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The sports club covers 3.17 hectares, includes several sports facilities, and lies in Metropolitan Open Land, a conservation area and near a nature conservation site.

“The site is designated as Metropolitan Open Land (Burbage Road Playing Fields) and is adjacent a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (Sydenham Hill and West Dulwich Railsides Site).”

“The site is in a Public Transport Accessibility Level (PTAL) 4. The primary access is via Giant Arches Road (off Burbage Road) which is not a classified road, but a private road, and which is not within the red line of the application site. The site is not within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) but the Dulwich Village CPZ, to the north east has been in operation since January 2025. Giant Arches Road is within the Herne Hill CPZ which operates 12-1400 Monday to Friday.”

Officer report

Public comments

Three objections cited noise, the area’s character and lighting hours, while one supporter welcomed action to address historic glare.

“Amenity Noise nuisance Out of keeping with character of area Hours of use of floodlighting on courts 1, 2 and 3”

“The historic nuisance of glare of the existing floodlights is going to be addressed.”

Officer report

Who spoke

An objector, the applicant and the applicant’s agent addressed the committee, while a club representative read a supporter’s statement.

Committee questions

Members questioned the officers, the objector, the applicant and the applicant’s agent during the hearing.

“The committee heard the officer’s introduction to the report. Members of the committee asked questions of the officers.”

“The applicant and applicant’s agent addressed the committee and responded to questions from members.”

Minutes

The committee vote

A motion to grant permission with the officer’s conditions was moved, seconded and carried.

“A motion to grant the application subject to conditions set out in the officer’s report, that were presented during the hearing, was moved, seconded, put to the vote and declared carried.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to conditions.

“That planning permission be granted subject to conditions.”

Minutes