THE only remaining public tennis courts in North Oxford should not be leased out to a private company, say some local residents.

The city council's leisure services department has been preparing to lease Alexandra Courts, in Middle Way, Summertown, to Wildwood Leisure, because the 14 grass and six hard courts are making a loss.

Residents have concerns about the 25-year lease agreement because they fear they will have to pay higher fees.

They are also concerned by the loss of a number of grass courts so that four indoor courts can be built.

But Andrew Parsons, of Wildwood Leisure, who is planning to create the 14-court tennis centre with the backing of the Lawn Tennis Association, said that the pay-and-play heritage of Alexandra Courts would be maintained.

He said: "First of all, we would like to spend £140,000 resurfacing some courts, and the second stage would be building four indoor courts, so that people can play all year round.

"We would like to start running junior sessions and summer camps this summer but if the decision is delayed for too long we will struggle to do that."

He added that charges for courts would increase from £5 an hour to £8.

The matter is due to be discussed by councillors at the north area committee today, but it is understood that a decision is likely to be deferred until the following month's meeting.

Chris Goodall, 52, who lives in Navigation Way, North Oxford, said his daughter Miriam, 15, often played on the courts.

He said: "People are concerned this would be a slimmed-down version of the neighbouring Esporta facilities, and that would be bad news for teenagers and families who enjoy playing on these courts, especially in the summer.

"The hard courts are absolutely fine but the grass courts do get a bit worn.

"No one realised what was going on behind the scenes and it has come as a shock to people that the city council is preparing to hand over these courts to a private company."

The city's Green group is asking the council's executive board to consider the matter before any deal is completed.

Jean Fooks, Liberal Democrat city councillor for North Oxford, said: "There is doubt among residents over precisely how many courts will be pay-and-play, and some people are concerned about the plans to cover the grass area with a large building for the indoor courts.

"We need to look in more detail at these proposals before they are agreed.

"This is a protected green space and the indoor courts would need planning permission."

Nicholas Hardiman, a spokesman for the Summertown community website, summertown.info, added: "This is a marvellous community resource and people want it to stay that way."

According to the committee report, the leisure company is to pay the council £15,000 a year as part of the lease.