THE quality of sports facilities in Grappenhall could be massively improved by plans for the village tennis club - but residents say they are fearful at what the cost will be.

Grappenhall Village Lawn Tennis Club, on Bradshaw Lane, has just submitted a scheme to build houses on its current home and construct new courts and a clubhouse at Stockton Lane's Grappenhall Sports Club with the cash generated from a potential developer.

The revamp could revitalise the sports club by boosting the facilities.

Tennis club officials say that after a recent request to erect floodlights was turned down by council planners, they were left with no choice but to seek a move in order to offer year-round facilities.

But residents living near to the current site of the club say they fear what could be built there.

Louise Wright, who lives next to the club, said that she was against the plans, as the attraction of her house had been where it was situated.

But Peter Burgess, chairman of the club, said the development would be in keeping with the village.

He added: "We are more than happy to speak to residents and allay any fears they may have about any development.

"We are trying to get better facilities to benefit the whole village, offering better courts and a new clubhouse as well.

"This will not just be a partnership with the football side of the sports club but it will provide an opportunity for other sports as well."

Raymond Sinclair, secretary of the club, said it needed to keep up with other clubs in the area such as Lymm and Stockton Heath.

"The objective is to provide tennis 12 months a year and we cannot do that at the current venue. People are not going to come to our club when there are better facilities down the road."