THE former home of Andover Lawn Tennis Club is set to be converted into houses after councillors green lit proposals for a new residential development.

Developers have been given planning permission by Test Valley Borough Council to convert the site, located at Brackenbury, off of The Drove, into a new 14 home development.

The site, which currently consists of five tennis courts, parking facilities and a clubhouse, will now be converted into a mixture of semi-detached and detached properties, all of which will be either three or four bedroom homes.

However the development, which is said to be ‘acceptable in respect to the character of the surrounding area’, has not proved popular among some residents on Brackenbury, with three submitting letters of objection.

These mainly relate to concerns over parking and traffic congestion, however other objections include the worry of loss of privacy and noise.

The development was previously given outline planning permission back in 2012 but was brought before the Northern Area Planning Committee earlier this month due to minor alterations in landscaping and parking plans.

Councillors decided the changes were acceptable and therefore granted full planning permission to Perbury Developments, subject to condition that no home be occupied until adequate car parking spaces have been allocated.

The developer must also provide visitor parking before more than ten dwellings can be occupied.

Meanwhile the development of ALTC’s new home is said to be ‘well underway’.

The club are expecting to move to their new Balksbury Hill home in April this year.

Chairman of ALTC, Margaret Winnett said: “The building of the new club is well underway with two indoor tennis courts and three outdoor courts currently being built.

“There is also enough land ready for an additional three courts in the future.

“It is an exciting time for the club.”