TOWN councillors have overturned a decision that could have scotched plans for a £250,000 tennis centre in Marlborough.

Marlborough Tennis Club has been homeless since selling its grass courts in Kingsbury Street some years ago.

The club has been looking for a new base and has been involved in talks with the council about using part of the Elcot Lane playing fields.

It has expressed keen interest in developing six courts, two of which would be available for public use except when competitions are being played.

Town councillors, in particular Hilary Cripps and Peter Cossey, have welcomed the club's plans.

Coun Cripps, as former chairman of the recreation and amenities committee, initiated the discussions.

Coun Cossey has been the town council representative in talks with the tennis club.

The recreation and amenities committee agreed on May 24 to offer the club a 99-year lease with the initial 25 years at a peppercorn rent.

However, on June 7, members of the council's finance and general purposes committee decided against a 99-year lease and to offer the tennis club a 25- year lease.

On Monday, Coun Cossey told a meeting of the full council that 25 years did not provide long enough surety for the club to obtain the loans and grant aid it needed to go ahead with its plans, estimated at between £200-250,000.

Coun Bill Cavill said that to offer a lease of only 25 years to the tennis club when it was prepared to provide tennis facilities for the town was an insult.

He said: "If they are given only 25 years they will not be able to comply with the regulations for getting grants from the Lawn Tennis Association and other grant giving bodies."

Coun Richard Allen said the town council already had a poor track record, having let the two municipal courts fall into disuse and become derelict.

He said: "We have a generous offer from the tennis club to provide tennis courts and if they require a 99-year lease that is what should be granted."

Committee chairman Coun Stewart Dobson's recommendation that a 25 year lease should be granted was lost by two votes to 12. A vote for a 99-year lease was carried by 11 votes to three.