DESPITE opposition over plans to replace a squash court with a children’s play area at the Taro Leisure Centre in Petersfield, the proposal has been approved.

South Downs National Park Authority’s planning committee agreed to the plans at their meeting in Midhurst last Thursday.

The Taro is owned by East Hampshire District Council, which has contracted Sports and Leisure Management to operate the building.

But as part of improvement plans, the company said a new entrance, including a play area, was needed.

It also said that the three squash courts weren’t fully used during the day, so one could be replaced.

The squash club said three courts were needed for tournaments, and claimed there hadn’t been proper consultations, and out of date information about the popularity of squash had been used,

But a report to the committee said: “There have been a considerable number of objections to the loss of one squash court.

“It is not considered the loss of a squash court could be sustained as a reason to refuse the application.”

At present, one wall of the squash court is also the outside wall of the sports centre, but the report pointed out that once the infill entrance was built the court would be fully inside the building.

And, as such, replacing it with a play area would then be internal work, and wouldn’t need planning permission.

After hearing the officers report committee members, while acknowledging the opposition to the plan, approved the proposal.

As well as the wo-storey infill entrance, new heating equipment will be installed, and internal improvements made.