Cloud over tennis club as housing application is lodged

An application has been submitted to Haringey Council for the redevelopment of the site of Fortis Green Tennis Club, off Southern Road, N2.

As reported in previous editions of The Archer, the proposal is for five houses and a block of three flats to be built on part of the site while the rest remains a tennis club. The number of courts will be reduced from four to three.

The site is owned by Muswell Hill United Reformed Church and the case put forward in the application is that the club is tired and the development is intended to save it and secure its future. However, the club itself does not agree with the proposals.

The club has been in talks with developers the Capstone Group for more than five years in the hope that a mutually acceptable site plan can be designed. The contents of the present planning application have not been pre-agreed with the club.

Members of the club, which has been on the site since the 1920s, say the loss of much of their green space to housing is particularly problematic, as it impedes their social events and curtails children’s activities on the lawns during coaching.

Local residents are arranging meetings to prepare their opposition to the proposals. The consultation period for the application (ref. HGY/2024/0871) ends on 10 May.