Ambitious plans to revamp Irvine's tennis courts and build a new clubhouse have been lodged with North Ayrshire Council.
Irvine Tennis Club want to provide a floodlit facility at Thornhouse Avenue with new sand-based carpet turf courts replacing the current blaes surface.
A modest clubhouse, providing toilet/changing facilities and a meeting area where players can enjoy refreshments, is also central to the proposal.
The club – which secured ownership of the site earlier this year through a community asset transfer – want to create three full-sized courts that meet Lawn Tennis Association standards along with two 'red court' (reduced size) facilities.
These would replace the existing three full-sized courts and junior-sized ‘singles’ court.
The intention is to install energy-efficient floodlights on the corners of the full-sized courts with use restricted up to, but not later than, 10pm throughout the week.
A design statement submitted to the local authority states: "Irvine Tennis Community (SCIO) are looking to bring forward the modernisation and improvement of this greatly underused tennis facility through the implementation of a sustainable sports business model.
"The model will result in both public accessibility and club membership options. To engender sustainable interest, the facilities need to meet modern expectations, provide associated facilities and be able to be utilised throughout the year.
"The introduction of high intensity surface finishes, along with floodlighting, ensures that extended playability is ensured.
"The group understand that there may be sensitivity to the introduction of floodlighting and, to safeguard against unjustified nuisance to the neighbouring residential properties, they would be happy for the timing of floodlighting use to be restricted by a planning condition.
"The development proposals are a very positive step towards offering the opportunity of enhanced healthy living and community engagement."
Planners will rule on the application in due course.
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