ANGRY neighbours say plans for new floodlights at a tennis club are unfair and will ruin their quality of life.

Salisbury Lawn Tennis Club in Harnham already has five floodlit courts but wants to illuminate two more to allow play to continue during winter evenings.

People living in neighbouring Grasmere Close say they already suffer enough from “a barrage of light and noise” and have written to Wiltshire Council to object.

Margaret Vacha said floodlights were already a “major intrusion” which had a “massive impact” on the neighbourhood.

But club chairman Stephen Berry claims careful design will mean there is “zero light spillage” to all houses except one, where the impact will be “insignificant”.

Objectors also claim noise nuisance from the club will carry on until 10.30pm if the extra lights are installed.

Paul and Helen Lord said: “The players often grunt and shout and the training sessions are very noisy with urgent screaming and shouting.”

And Cheryl Hill said: “Some of the players are antisocial and their bad language can be heard in Old Blandford Road and Bouverie Avenue.”

But Mr Berry said tennis was “not a very noisy sport” and coaches were “aware of the need to be considerate to neighbours”.

Objectors have suggested turning two already-lit clay courts into all-weather courts, to eliminate the need for extra floodlights.

But the club wants to retain its clay courts to provide a variety of surfaces for players.

Mr Berry said without extra evening court availability in winter, the club would lose members and be unable to maintain and improve its programmes, particularly for children.

Mrs Hill said: “This club seems to think they can walk all over their neighbours and do what they like.”

Planning application 15/05334/FUL is available to view online here.