2003/04

Floodlight fears rejected as sports club given planning permission

NEW floodlights on a sports ground in Watford will be "intrusive" to neighbouring properties and could force residents out of their homes, it was claimed this week.

Residents of Coningesby Drive are concerned eight 16-metre high floodlights on the pitches of the Sun Postal Sports and Social Club in Bellmount Wood Avenue will "light their homes up like Christmas trees".

Many say they will have to have their blinds down permanently to shut out the light.

Mr Paul Green, of Coningesby Drive, said: "My house is literally 26 feet from the pitch itself.

"The lights will be closer to my property and they are going to be intrusive."

The club won planning permission for the floodlights at Watford Council's development control meeting on Monday, March 29.

It has also been granted permission to construct a spectator stand, which will accommodate 100 people, and four ten-metre high floodlight columns on the club's two training areas.

The club said the facilities are needed because it has been promoted from the Herts County Football League to the South Midlands League and its pitches have to meet the standards of the higher league.

It rejected the concerns of residents as its grounds were near to floodlit pitches already used by the Fullerians and Watford Grammar School for Boys.

Conditions in the planning permission mean the lights will not be used after 10pm.

The club said the lights will be designed to minimise light spillage and pollution in the area.

Chairman Fred Lloyd said: "There are already two sets of floodlights on the adjoining fields. I don't see how ours are going to make any difference."

But as well as concerns over light pollution, residents are worried the new spectator stand will mean more supporters coming into the area, adding to congestion and increasing noise pollution.