Plans for a new indoor tennis facilities in Epsom would ‘broaden the schools outreach programme and look to engage more local clubs’, according to the Lawn Tennis Association.

David Lloyd Health and Fitness Club in Horton Lane has applied for permission to build a permanent air dome which would include four indoor courts.

Submitted to Epsom and Ewell Council in the same week as the Wimbledon finals, the plans are for a 66m by 37m dome made from layers of translucent fabric coated with PVC at the site next to Hobbledown Farm. The membrane lets light through so the planning application states there would be no need for additional floodlighting.

In a letter supporting the application, LTA facilities project manager Christopher Donkin said: “The additional facilities will be a great benefit for the club and will strengthen the Club’s ability to provide tennis to the local community.

“The club is currently operating above capacity and indoor court availability at the club is at a premium, as a result, the club is prevented increasing their membership and from running an all year round programme for the club members and the local community.

“The additional hours that the additional indoor courts will provide will be used to increase the number of local juniors and adults able to compete, enjoy and experience the game of tennis in line with the LTA’s National Participation Strategy.

“The increase from two indoor courts to four, will allow the Club to deliver more effective coaching programmes, to broaden the schools outreach programme and look to engage more local clubs to use the facilities.”

In its application, David Lloyd said it has recently invested almost £1million in the club to improve and update the gym, add a new cycling studio and improve the café-bar area.

Currently its only indoor tennis facilities are a two-court seasonal dome.

The application said the new courts were important to help maintain the ‘Murray Momentum’ which started when Andy Murray won Wimbledon.