PLANS to build two beach volleyball courts in North Oxford could lead to the loss of tennis facilities, campaigners fear.

Oxford City Council is drawing up plans with Oxford Volleyball Club after the group was given a £57,890 grant by Sport England.

The Friends of Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park are worried that the project could lead to the loss of some of the park’s underused outdoor tennis courts.

Friends committee member Graham Jones said the group was pushing for the council to produce a full report of all the sites it was considering.

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It has suggested two sites for the courts, located on the south side of the stream in the park.

Mr Jones said: “From a sporting point of view the volleyball courts would be a valuable extra facility for the city and we understand the club is keen to get them.

“But we are aware that some of the space used for tennis courts could be used and we certainly would not like to see that.

“They could be used more, but we think that is a different issue that needs to be addressed separately by encouraging more people to use them.

“We have had some consultation with the city council, but it has been a bit on and off.

“What we want now is a full report on all the sites the council is looking at, with the pros and cons, or a full public consultation.”

The volleyball club has been campaigning since June to have two courts for beach volleyball built in the city.

The nearest existing outdoor courts are in Portsmouth and London.

The club provides indoor volleyball training for almost 100 players aged between eight and 60 at Headington School and Oxford High School.

The city council has not been asked to provide funding for new volleyball courts, but will provide land.

Council spokesman Chofamba Sithole said no decision had been made yet on where exactly in Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park the volleyball courts would go.

He said: “The success of Oxford Volleyball Club’s funding application highlights the potential for growth in participation and an exciting new sport for the area.

“This would be a positive contribution to the sporting landscape of the city and we have identified the priority site as Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park.

“We have undergone a consultation programme with the Friends of Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park group and will continue to engage with them.

“We feel that the scope of this consultation was correct.

“However, we are keen to listen to the views of any interested parties.”

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