Last updated October 2026
Devon schools planning playground markings and clubs facing tennis court resurfacing may sit inside Dartmoor or Exmoor, which changes the planning route. Markings are priced from your layout at survey; one recent council quote for relining a games court was £600 per sport. Resurfacing one tennis court averages £12,500 to £17,500 on the LTA’s figures, depending on the surface chosen; the LTA does not state a VAT basis. The playground markings page shows designs; send a photo of your yard or court to start.
Our school is on Dartmoor. Does that change anything?
For markings on an existing yard, no. For anything that needs planning permission, such as a new fenced court, a shelter or floodlights, yes: Dartmoor National Park Authority is the local planning authority inside the park, not the district council. On Exmoor, the Exmoor National Park Authority handles planning across the whole park, including the Devon side. Both look closely at lighting and anything visible in the landscape, so we keep those items as separate lines on the quote. Our planning guide has the general rules.
Does Green Belt policy apply anywhere in Devon?
No. Devon is not part of any of the 16 Green Belt areas in the government’s 2024 to 2025 statistics. Outside the two national parks, a court application is decided by the district council, or by Plymouth or Torbay council, which run their own planning. Neighbour amenity and light spill are what they weigh.
What is happening at King George V playing fields in Exeter?
A Football Foundation project worth £1,997,354. Phase one, under way in 2026, adds a FIFA-quality 3G pitch, two Football Foundation PlayZones and a refurbished pavilion with accessible changing rooms, led by Exeter City Community Trust on land protected by Fields in Trust. For a school or club nearby, it shows the Foundation will back a strong community scheme in Devon at that scale. See artificial pitches.
How do we know if our project is a football priority?
Check your district’s Local Football Facility Plan. Devon FA says the county has ten, one for each local authority, and that it uses them to prioritise investment in new 3G pitches. A project already in the plan is far likelier to attract a grant, so contact Devon FA before you commission a design.
Is Plymouth planning new pitches?
Its playing pitches delivery plan covers the city to 2034, alongside the Plymouth and South West Devon Joint Local Plan, with site-by-site recommendations in its appendices. A Plymouth club should read those before choosing between resurfacing an old pitch and building on a new site. For a smaller ball court, our MUGA page sets out sizes and costs.
Resurface our tennis courts, or just repaint?
Repaint if the surface is sound; resurface if it is cracked, uneven or holding water. For a porous macadam court the LTA suggests repainting about every five years and resurfacing every eight to ten, and coastal sites may see moss and algae sooner, which a deep clean can deal with first. Compare the options on our tennis courts page and the costs page.
How it works
- 01Send a plan and photosThe site, the surface and the date it must reopen.
- 02We check the groundLevels and where the water drains.
- 03Written quoteBuilt around your reopening date.
Sources
- Dartmoor National Park Authority, planning, read Oct 2026
- Exmoor National Park Authority, Statement of Community Involvement, 2022
- MHCLG, local authority Green Belt statistics 2024 to 2025, Oct 2025
- Torbay Weekly, King George V playing fields upgrade, Exeter, Feb 2026
- Devon FA, funding a new 3G pitch, read Oct 2026
- Plymouth City Council, playing pitches delivery plan, read Oct 2026
- LTA, court surfaces guidance, read Oct 2026
Can markings go down in a Devon winter?
Only on a dry surface above the installer’s minimum temperature, which in practice means planning around the forecast. Half-term work is possible on a small layout; a whole yard is safer in the summer holiday. We agree a back-up date when we book.
What helps us price a Devon job quickly?
Your postcode first, because it tells us whether Dartmoor or Exmoor rules apply and which council you are in. Then a photo of the yard or court from each corner, a rough size, the gate width and the term or season you are aiming for. For a club court, tell us the current surface and its age; for a school, whether the yard is also used by a pre-school or community group, as that shapes the layout.
Who manages a Devon job?
We arrange a vetted local surfacing contractor for Devon jobs. We confirm who within 2 working days, or tell you if we can’t. Alex Winser keeps the job moving as your one point of contact, and you see the contractor’s name on the written quote before you agree to anything.