Tempers flare at floodlight meeting

Senior members of Little Common Football Club, including chairman Ken Cherry and first team manager Mark Linch, called the meeting on Monday evening in an attempt to salvage the club's relationship with nearby residents.

Tempers frayed as the 30 people, mostly from Eastergate and Peartree Lane, told Rother District Council (RDC) officers they had failed them badly in granting permission for six 15-metre floodlights at a planning meeting in January.

Mark Linch told residents the lights would be used for "a handful of matches" each season and the light pollution would be minimal.

But residents rejected this, labelling the development "disproportionate and unacceptable".

A culture of mistrust undermined attempts to reconcile the two groups. Keith Hoare, a resident of Eastergate, said: "We don't believe they will stick to their own guidelines.

"Things that they've said they will do in the past '“ they haven't done."

Ian Riches, of Eastergate, said: "The council has shown there is incompetence involved in the decision-making process for planning."

Football Association regulations require floodlights for any team playing in the Sussex County Division One, the league Little Common First XI hope to be promoted to next season.

At January's planning meeting councillors set conditions preventing the lights, due to be installed this year being used for training and restricting the times they can be to between 6.45pm-9.45pm on weekdays and 3pm-5.30pm on Saturdays.

No lighting would be allowed on Sundays.

Manager Mark Linch agreed it was: "madness to spend 50,000 of our hard-earned money for five games a season", but said the decision would improve local facilities for the community and club.

But residents fear the impact on house prices and their wellbeing.

Stories of late-night hooliganism, not directly linked to the club, were confirmed by PCSO Rachel Scott, who said: "There has been a slight rise in activity recently. We are aware that it's starting to happen again."

Residents also criticised RDC's accountablility and communication, and say the recreation ground is becoming too football-focused.

Rother District Councillor for Little Common Patrick Douart told residents: "The fact that you feel very strongly about what is going on is not planning grounds for refusal.

"We know that you cannot please everyone but it's a choice that has to be made."

Mark Linch said: "We are providing a fantastic service for in the region of 700 people each week.

"I would rather youngsters are taking part in sports and having a passion for something than being on the streets.

He added: "As a club we want to work and develop relations with our neighbours, and appreciate their time and effort in attending the meeting.

"We appreciate their concerns, but sometimes we will have to agree to disagree as we cannot please everyone and only address issues related to the club.

"The council understands the bigger picture, and this is why it has given permission for the floodlights."

Keith Hoare, acting as spokesman for the residents, said: "We are not against football. We knew there was a pitch here when we moved.

"We understand they have to have the lights, but no one has asked us now to minimise the impact on us.

"It doesn't end here. We'll take this as far as we legally can."