Major changes proposed for amenities at Ribby Hall near Wrea Green

Plans are in the pipeline for an upgrade of facilities at Ribby Hall Leisure Village.

A planning application has been submitted to Fylde Council on behalf of the popular leisure and sports complex on Ribby Road, on the outskirts of Wrea Green village.

The proposals are for the removal of two existing tennis courts to enable the extension of an existing car park, provision of two replacement tennis courts and four padel courts, including associated fencing, surfacing, lighting and footways, along with biodiversity works.

Plans show that the layout has been designed to consolidate racket sports provision within a dedicated area to the eastern part of the site, making efficient use of land that currently forms part of the golf course while maintaining the overall recreational function of the wider complex.

The relocation of the courts allows the existing tennis court area to be repurposed for parking, improving operational efficiency without extending development beyond the established resort envelope.

In terms of form and appearance, the proposed tennis and padel courts are functional sports facilities and will be enclosed by perimeter fencing typical of such development.

The surfacing, fencing and lighting columns are standard components of modern sports infrastructure and will be viewed in the context of existing leisure buildings and facilities within Ribby Hall Village. As such, they will not appear visually incongruous or out of character.

A Planning, Design and Access Statement said: “The proposed development represents an appropriate continuation and enhancement of the established sports and recreational use of the site, delivering upgraded leisure facilities within an existing resort setting.

“The principle of development is supported by Strategic Policies EC6 and HW3 of the Fylde Local Plan, which support leisure, tourism and outdoor sports facilities where impacts are acceptable.

“The proposed development is also considered acceptable from a heritage, ecological, arboricultural, lighting, noise, and design perspective, and would not give rise to any adverse impacts, as demonstrated in the supporting reports.

“Overall, the proposal complies with the development plan when read as a whole and there are no material considerations which indicate that planning permission should be refused. Planning permission should therefore be granted.”