New bid for lights

IF a plan to put up floodlights at a football ground is turned down then the club might as well pack up and go home, says its general manager.

A row has broken out over an application by Wealden Football Club to install six floodlighting poles at the Eastbourne Road, Uckfield, ground.

A former proposal for four lights was thrown out at a planning meeting in October last year when Framfield district councillor Jack Gore said: 'Light pollution in that area would affect not just neighbours but a much bigger area.'

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But general manager Allan Lofthouse told the Express the Club has now brought in experts who have been working with the council to come up with a scheme which causes minimal light spillage.

He explained the club provides facilities for four senior Saturday sides, six junior sides from the age of eight upwards and two girls' teams.

He went on: 'We'll never be promoted to Division Two with no lights '“ that would be the finish.'

Local people are campaigning to ensure the proposal is wiped off the drawing board.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The club gave the scheme an informal airing before Framfield parish councillors last Tuesday.

Objector David Pursglove, who lives in Eastbourne Road, said: 'We only found out about the presentation by chance; I think they were hoping to sneak it by us.

'Neighbours were disconcerted when I told them; I took eight along to the meeting.'

Mr Pursglove said he has no objection to village football but this ground 'is stuck in the middle of a field.'

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

If the scheme goes ahead he fears this could be the thin end of the wedge with other development including a public address system introduced shortly afterwards.

A parish council spokesman said the scheme will be debated at the next planning meeting with views represented to district planners who must then recommend for approval or refusal.

Mr Lofthouse said: 'These proposed new poles will have practically no light dispersal and they can also be significantly dimmed.'

He said their use will be restricted to between 3pm and 5pm on Saturdays, 6.30pm and 10pm Tuesdays and 7pm to 9pm on Thursdays throughout the winter. They will be on full power for only 20 matches.

Related topics: