Netball in north London has been given a significant boost after councillors approved the refurbishment of popular public courts.

The decision means the nine courts in Broomfield Park, Palmers Green, will be resurfaced and partially reconstructed, with floodlights installed to allow them to be used throughout the year.

More than 800 people attend the park on a typical Saturday when the courts are used by the North London Netball League.

The application to revamp the courts, which are also used for tennis, was considered by Enfield Council’s planning committee on Tuesday (July 7).

A planning officer told the meeting that the courts are “the only netball facilities in the borough” and are “an essential part of the netball community in north London”.

Deputy council leader Cllr Ian Barnes (Labour, Winchmore Hill) said he had spoken to England Netball President Lindsay Sartori, who has volunteered for the Palmers Green Netball Club and North London League for 37 years, about the proposed refurbishment.

Cllr Barnes said: “She talked to me about the success of netball. Team England won netball gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games – and two of those England stars, Sasha and Kadeen Corbin, have both played at Broomfield Park and frequently return to offer their support for the league.

“The big fear is that without the floodlights and refurbishment of the courts, there is a real danger that netball will no longer be played in the park, which would be a terrible blow for around 800 women and girls of all ages and abilities from every conceivable background who play in the North London Netball League.”

Cllrs Maria Alexandrou (Conservative, Winchmore Hill) and Daniel Anderson (Labour, Southgate Green) also spoke in favour of the proposals.

Cllr Alexandrou said interest in netball had grown since England’s Commonwealth Games success and pointed out local businesses benefit from people visiting the park to take part in sport.

Cllr Anderson added: “I think if we are serious about trying to get people fit and healthy – and particularly the younger generation – it is a no-brainer, supporting this.”

The plans, which will also see bollard lighting installed along footpaths near the courts, were unanimously approved by committee members.