Bohemians on Queens Drive has stood for 140 years
Liverpool’s oldest tennis club could be demolished to make way for a series of new homes. Standing since 1884, Bohemians Lawn Tennis Club (LTC) has served the city’s racket sports fans on Queens Drive in West Derby. The long-standing venue comprises a clubhouse, four artificial all-weather courts and external parking off the main road.
With players now vacated from the club to a new location along the road, plans have been lodged to transform the space with nine single storey two-bed homes earmarked for development. According to Liverpool Council’s planning portal, the site is mostly hard surfaced with two trees in place.
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The club moved from its long term home in 2023 to the nearby Vagabonds club on Queens Drive, leaving the historic site vacant. The planning proposal sees outline permission to build nine two-bed properties on the land.
A design and access report said: “In terms of site layout the existing access road is proposed to be extended along the full length of the site with provision for a turning head at the end of the road. The road can be constructed to adoptable standards and will allow for deliveries and servicing for the proposed dwellings.
“The scheme also proposes six additional parking spaces for visitors and the existing residents of Sandforth Court. With all new residents benefitting from the use of two in curtilage parking bays the scheme is not considered to add to any on street parking demand in the area.”
The joining of the two clubs was confirmed in February, combining more than 250 years of tennis experience in the city. In a statement on social media Bohemians said the amalgamation of the two clubs onto the one location would align with its aim “to create an elite tennis club to create more tennis opportunities in north Liverpool.”
The shared location has a social club and bar facilities on site alongside three courts, one fewer than the original Bohemians site. If the application is successful, it means the local authority finds the plans acceptable, with a view to a full bid being signed off in future. It is expected an initial decision whether the application can progress will be delivered within eight weeks.
