Neighbours fume over inflatable dome that looks like ‘enormous zit’

The dome at the local tennis club has caused quite a stir (Picture: Alan Simpson Photography/BBC)

Locals are infuriated with a private sports club’s new inflatable dome which some have likened to a green ‘zit’.

Residents in Stockbridge, just outside of Edinburgh, have said the noise and vibrations from the electric fans used to inflate the dome have kept them up – and the dome itself is blocking views of the area’s Georgian architecture.

The green dome was erected last autumn to cover tennis courts at The Grange Club, a private sports club.

The move had initially been rejected until the Scottish government overruled an Edinburgh council decision.

Keith Hughes lives in a home right behind the ‘hideous’ dome, and said he plans to move because of it: ‘I am awake every single night with the low hum of the background fans keeping the tennis court roof inflated.

‘They have totally disregarded their heritage. They should be ashamed of themselves for the impact on this world heritage area. They have had no consideration for the local people.’

The green blow-up dome is visible from bedrooms (Picture: BBC Scotland)

Resident Claire Baxter told the BBC: ‘It’s horrendous and looks like an enormous zit. Every time I walk past it I cannot believe it’s been allowed. Everyone in the neighbourhood has been talking about it for months.’

The dome was allowed to go ahead after Scottish government reporter Andrew Fleming overruled the city’s rejection, deeming it a ‘public benefit’ because of a lack of indoor tennis facilities in the area.

But residents are frustrated with the decision – Jacquie Christie said her elderly mum had to go to three different appeal panels with the council to get double glazing for her windows, but the dome was allowed to go ahead ‘without a second thought’.

A Scottish government spokesman said: ‘The right to appeal certain decisions made by local planning authorities is an important part of the planning system.

‘The decision was issued by an independent reporter, who is required to make their decision on the planning merits of the case, taking full account of submissions made by all parties, including those from members of the local community.’

The dome has kept some residents up at night (Picture: Alan Simpson Photography)

In Leicester, neighbours of a man who spent more than £250,000 building an extension to his garden claimed they were forced to move due to the ‘eyesore’.

The council approved plans by Gurnam Singh, 40, to build a family gym in the back garden of his semi-detached house on a quiet estate in Thurmaston outside of Leicester. 

Two people have told MailOnline they are planning to sell their homes, where they’ve lived for between 14 and 25 years, in anticipation of the completed structure blocking sunlight and infringing on their privacy.’

One person said: ‘It is a complete eyesore and it has devalued my house. Even the parish council objected and couldn’t believe it got through.’

The other person claimed: ‘I feel like I’m being driven out because of it.’

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