A floodlighting row has taken the shine off Arbroath tennis club’s showpiece courts.
Scottish tennis personality Judy Murray performed the official opening of the facility last week after a six-figure upgrade.
Former Wimbledon champ Andy’s mum put youngsters through their paces on the thriving club’s new all-weather surface.
But the success of the development has been overshadowed by a row over the fence in Dalhousie Place.
Neighbours say their gardens are now “lit up like Blackpool” when the floodlights are on.
Their privacy was previously protected by a large leylandii hedge, but that was removed as part of the club upgrade and resident Garry Smith said his home is now completely overlooked, with the bright lights shining in.
“My son is actually a member of the club so it’s not a personal vendetta, but we had no reason the development was going to be a problem and then they took the hedge away,” he said.
“We’ve got to keep our blinds closed to stop the light coming in and we’re left staring right into the tennis club.”
Mr Smith and neighbours Bernard King have also challenged Angus Council’s handling of the planning process, with the authority having told them that assessing light in terms of statutory nuisance is a “very complicated area”.
The residents say the combination of the floodlights and the removal of the screening is an invasion of privacy and a breach of their human rights.
And they insist no satisfactory solution is being offered by the club.
A spokesman for Arbroath Lawn Tennis Club said: “The club has obtained the appropriate planning permission for floodlights and has met all of the guidelines imposed.
“After hearing of neighbours’ concerns, and in order to minimise any light pollution, baffles or funnels have been fitted to several floodlights.
“We hope this will allay any concerns within the local community.
“We have been working closely with Angus Council planning and environmental departments throughout all steps of the process.
“At Arbroath Lawn Tennis Club, we consider ourselves to be at the very heart of the local community and hope to continue offering young people in the area the chance to develop their tennis skills.
“The new lighting is allowing us to give more youngsters the chance to try tennis and we are prioritising the situation to allow us to continue to do that. ”
Arbroath councillor David Fairweather said: “It is unfortunate that problems with the new lights have arisen with neighbours and the tennis club.
“Having met with the parties and officers of the council I am hopeful that a solution that is advantageous can be reached.”
Angus Council have not commented on the matter.