PLANS to transform dilapidated tennis courts into a new recreational activity area have won the backing of the town council.

At a meeting of Burnham and Highbridge Town Council on July 15 Cllr Mike Murphy put forward plans to redevelop the Crosses Penn Gardens in Burnham-on-Sea into two new all weather multi use games areas with new lighting.

If they are built one of the new games areas would be solely for tennis and the other area will be used for netball, football and hockey.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Murphy said: “I put forward this proposal as I really want something to be done to revive the facilities at Crosses Penn,” Cllr Murphy said.

“Tennis has been played there for 100 years but sadly the courts are now in a bad state as they have been left to fall into disrepair.

“The courts are underused and unfortunately the area has now attracted anti-social behaviour and some of the courts have been vandalised.

“We want to create these two games areas because they will help to promote health, fitness and wellbeing for people of all ages, reduce anti-social behaviour and provide new sports facilities for tourists and residents.”

Cllr Murphy said the project will cost between £75,000 and £100,000 and the council would be looking for Sedgemoor District Council to provide half of the funding while the other half would come from grants.

He added: “To make this new games area reality we will need money. We would ask Sedgemoor for half of the money but to get the other half we would set up the Crosses Penn Charitable Trust.

“The trust would be a not profit community interest company made up of local businesses and residents who would be interested in making the plans become a reality.

“To get the money we would need to do this we would apply for grants through the trust and we would also be able to share ideas on what we would like the play areas to look like.

“This play area is something that is really needed in Burnham and the tennis courts need some care and attention.

“It is a great opportunity for the council to create something which will be used by the public.”

Councillors voted unanimously to back Cllr Murphy’s proposal at the meeting and agreed to set up a working party to further investigate the plans and permission needed to build on the site.