PLANS to convert the former bowling green at Dorchester's Borough Gardens to tennis courts have been submitted.

Dorchester Town Council has submitted the application, which would finally deliver a long term use for the facility after seven years.

The proposals would see the new courts replacing the ones currently to the rear of the Trinity Street car park just outside the gardens, with that site earmarked for an affordable housing scheme.

Deputy town clerk Steve Newman said: "The proposal is great for the town – there will be two brand new top quality tennis courts in the lovely setting of the gardens which will replace the two courts just outside of the gardens, which do suffer due to their location under the trees and in the shade for a lot of the time.

"Moving the courts will free up the old tennis court area which can then be used for an affordable housing scheme – which is desperately needed in the town.

"It also means that there will be four top quality tennis courts in the gardens which are affordable to play on – a tennis fob, which allows you to book online and access the courts is available for £25 a year for a whole household."

Mr Newman said planning permission is currently being sought and, if achieved, the job will be put out to tender with the aim of completing the new courts for the summer season.

He added: "Indicative costs for the construction of new tennis courts is £27,500 per court plus perimeter fencing.

"There are some challenges with the bowling green site relating to access and a part of it being Scheduled Monument – part of the old town walls.

"As the corner of the old bowling green is Scheduled Monument Historic England have been fully consulted about the project and some archaeological investigation will be undertaken shortly so that we may further our knowledge of the site prior to the courts being built."

The bowling green at the gardens dates back to the early 20th century, with the Dorchester Bowling Club established in 1906.

The town council has been debating the future of the bowling green since 2010, when the bowling club was wound up.

Initial proposals included a mini-golf facility but there were difficulties with funding and it was decided that tennis courts would provide the most suitable use.

While the site's future has been deliberated, the a grass free lawn has been introduced on the green, featuring flowering plants that are beneficial to local wildlife.

The planning application for the bowling green site can be viewed at dorsetforyou.com, with comments invited before Friday, March 17.