Risbygate Sports Club in Bury St Edmunds withdraws planning application after Sport England objects to loss of outdoor bowls

A sports club has withdrawn plans for the conversion of its 'last remaining' outdoor bowls green.

Risbygate Sports Club in Westley Road, Bury St Edmunds, had applied to West Suffolk Council to convert an outdoor bowls green to padel courts and a pétanque court, with additional car parking on a former tennis court.

However, Sport England, a consultee on the planning application, opposed the development as it considered that outdoor bowls facilities should remain and the bowls club should be given the opportunity to increase membership.

A spokesperson for Risbygate Sports Club confirmed the plans had been withdrawn a few days ago.

They added: "It was following discussions with Sport England and a change of thinking."

In its comment in January, Sport England said the proposal sought the conversion of 'the last remaining bowls green' at the club.

It also included a comment from Bowls England, which read: “We are aware of these plans following discussions last month with the club, and would wish to oppose the proposal at this stage.

"In doing so, we shall be working with the club to increase participations and income on this site."

In conclusion, Philip Raiswell, of Sport England, said: "Sport England considers that the application conflicts with Sport England planning policy objectives in that it will result in the loss of the bowling green from this site.

"In light of the above and the lack of evidence of any exceptional circumstances Sport England objects to the application."

A planning statement with the now-withdrawn application said the external bowls club had experienced a decline in the last few years so the bowls green was not fundamentally utilised at any part of the year.

Plans that were approved last year included the creation of two tennis courts on one of the two outdoor bowling greens at the club. This bowls green (for the new tennis courts) is understood to not be in use.

The withdrawn application, that was submitted in December, proposed the existing bowls green as the new location for the padel courts and pétanque.

According to its website, Risbygate Sports Club offers tennis, squash, indoor bowls, outdoor bowls, pétanque and walking netball.