REVISED plans to turn the site of a church tennis court into a housing development have been approved.

The managing trustees of St Luke's Methodist Church wanted to sell the land in Charles Road, Hoylake, to make way for four houses and a building containing 10 apartments.

An outline planning application was approved by Wirral's planning committee when it met on Thursday at Wallasey Town Hall.

An original scheme for 17 houses and flats was withdrawn by the applicant in December 2013.

During the consultation period 31 letters were sent to adjoining properties, six individual letters of objection have been received along with a petition of objection containing 96 signatures.

Those against were concerned it would lead to loss of environment and amenities for future generations, danger from increased traffic and congestion, with commercial vehicles using Charles Road to service Market Street.

There were also fears it will lead cause an increase in parking problems, potential sewage system problems and the block of flats would not be in keeping with area.

They add that the courts are a war memorial dedicated in 1947 by St Luke's Church to local people who lost their lives and which would be lost forever if the development was approved.

The report to Thursday's meeting read: "The applicant has submitted evidence in an attempt to demonstrate that the existing tennis courts are surplus to requirements.

"This evidence includes a survey of spare capacity at other local tennis clubs, as well as a comparison of the number of courts within the Hoylake area and other parts of Wirral.

"The applicant's survey of other local tennis clubs appears to show that the remaining members of St Luke's Tennis Club, reported to be 26 playing members, could be accommodated in these other local clubs if they were willing to join them.

"The applicant has agreed to contribute £40,000 towards the upgrade of two existing public tennis courts at Meols Parade.

"These courts are currently in an extremely poor condition and are in clear need of an upgrade."

Supporting the campaign against the scheme was Hoylake Conservative councillor John Hale, who told the Globe last week: "I think it's a shame that it is being built on.

"It's a sports facility, which has been there for quite a while and has a club in existence.

"I'm also told that the land is a war memorial. If that's the case, combining its loss with the sports field would be terrible. I also think it would add to parking problems in Hoylake.

"Taking all of this into account, I don’t think it’s a site for redevelopment at all."

One campaigner, who asked not to named, said: "I find it amazing that we have our first tennis champion in 70 years, Andy Murray, and they are talking about closing tennis clubs."