Eric Pickles gives go ahead to leisure centre plans (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Eric Pickles gives go ahead to new facilities at Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre

1:30pm Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News By Zoe Forsey, Senior Reporter

The secretary of state has given the go-ahead to a proposal to build new facilities at Batchwood Golf and Tennis Centre to replace those destroyed in a fire in 2011.

The district council’s proposal to build a regional centre of excellence on the site had to be referred to Eric Pickles’ department as it is on Green Belt land.

He has decided that there is no need to call in the application, leaving the council clear to proceed with the development.

Councillor Mike Wakely, portfolio holder for sports, leisure and heritage at the council, said: "We can now go ahead with the second phase of the redevelopment.

"This will involve the creation of a regional centre of excellence for tennis with six indoor tennis courts, an increase on the four in the original building.

"The new centre will also provide the St Albans Judo Club with a superb new home as its base."

The new centre will also include a gym, coach education room, sports injury clinic and cafe, and the existing squash courts will be refurbished as part of the development.

A detailed plan for funding and construction will be discussed by the council’s cabinet on January 17.