MORE than 100 objectors to a scheme to build houses on the site of Grappenhall Tennis Club have signed a petition in a bid to shelve the plans.

And neighbours of the Bradshaw Lane club are angry that a Warrington Borough Council error meant them having to pay to receive letters informing them of the plans.

Carol Swanton, of Kensington Avenue in Grappenhall, said that it cost her and another neighbour £1.20 when they went to the post office to pick up their letters with information about the plans, and she accused the council of incompetence.

"This was something of great importance and it also took five days for it to be delivered, making it difficult for people to respond," she added.

She explained that more than 100 people had already signed a petition, and neighbours were worried that any development could crowd the area.

"There are traffic concerns, especially for the safety of the schoolchildren at Bradshaw Primary School. As it is, buses struggle to get down there and this will be the removal of a long-standing amenity for the local people in the area," she added.

John Groves, head of development control at Warrington Borough Council, said that of the 20,000 letters the council sends out every year, it encounters this problem only once or twice.

He added: "We know other letters have reached their destination, as other neighbours have already commented on the proposals."

People wishing to comment on the application can still do so, and anyone who has had a similar problem with their letter should call 442829.

Officials at the tennis club say that the sale of the land is vital to fund a move to Grappenhall Sports Club. The failure of previous plans to build floodlights for the courts means that the club cannot be used 12 months a year, as is needed to keep up with competition from nearby clubs.