New national tennis centre approved for Bridgend

Lewis Smith, local democracy reporter

A major new tennis centre and swimming pool has been given the green light to be built in Bridgend this after a council planning meeting.

The new national tennis centre will be based on land at Island Farm, Ewenny Road in Bridgend, and would see the area become the home of a massive indoor and outdoor tennis centre, along with a swimming pool complex.

Councillors in attendance at the meeting heard plans from developers HD Limited, to build 9 indoor tennis courts and supporting facilities, including social areas, a café lounge, gym, and studio and health and rehabilitation services.

In addition there would also be six outdoor tennis courts with associated seating areas, and enclosures constructed on the southern side of the main centre.

An outdoor terrace and swimming pool will also be provided within the plans based on the southern side of the main building, while servicing, access and parking facilities will be located on the western side of the building, accessed by a new entrance from Bridgend Science Park.

Car parking facilities will also be included on the site and incorporate 168 parking spaces, including 10 accessible spaces and 9 motorbike spaces.

Jobs

It is also expected that the site would create 75 new jobs during the construction period of the development, and a further 50 full time and part-time jobs once the centre is complete.

Council bosses at the meeting voted to unanimously grant permission for the plans on the basis that the developers enter into a Section 106 Agreement that includes contributing a total sum of £25,266 towards bus stop improvements, and funding towards roundabout and pedestrian crossing improvements.

Councillor John Spanswick, cabinet member for communities, said: “This ambitious, high-quality project will be the largest of its kind in Wales and has the potential to make Bridgend County Borough a centre of excellence for developing the tennis stars of the future.

“With associated plans in place for improving the local road network alongside the wider strategic development of the area, the centre is destined to become a regional landmark, and will support our efforts to draw further investment into the county borough.”

A spokesperson for Tennis Wales said: “Tennis Wales is incredibly excited to hear that the project has passed this important milestone.This centre will support the development of tennis in Bridgend County Borough and, in turn, Wales – benefitting many generations to come.

“Having access to more community indoor tennis courts to ensure year-round play is a central pillar of our ‘Tennis Opened Up across Wales’ strategy.”