Plans to build a holiday cabin on a tennis court in Burton Green have been submitted to Warwick District Council.

The court is on private land off Hob Lane is next to a former water tower that has already been converted into a holiday let.

The timber cabin would have three bedrooms and be 6m wide and more than twice as long.

Plans, submitted by Napton Marina Ltd, would see the court's fencing taken down and part of the surface ripped up to allow for parking.

A tennis pavilion and caravan would also need to be removed before the cabin was built.

The application said it was the perfect time to be investing in the local travel market.

"In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, there is likely to be increased demand in the short to medium term for domestic holidays," it said.

"Consumers have been put off flying and there is uncertainty as to the longer-term sustainability of airlines and travel companies."

Whilst the cabin would be on Green Belt land the application said there should be an exception as the area is already developed.

And with the site surrounded by hedgerows and trees already, the applicant said it "would not therefore harm the character and appearance of the countryside".

Objections

However, the application has already received five objections – including one from Burton Green Parish Council.

The council said it was inappropriate development in the Green Belt and contrary to the forthcoming Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Adding: "The site has reverted so far back to nature that it should not be classed as previously developed."

Meanwhile neighbour Susan Elkins also said the plans were not on an already developed site.

"There currently are the 'remains' of a tennis court which we believe has not been in use for many, many years, a small mobile caravan and a shed," she said.

"We would dispute the existing shed on the site could be termed a 'tennis pavilion'."

Adding: "We do not believe the very limited economic benefits of the development are sufficient to outweigh the definitional harm to the openness of the Green Belt."