Shropshire secondary school's new 12m floodlights given the go-ahead

A county secondary school has been given permission to put up new 12m floodlights.

The 3-18 Educational Trust had applied to Shropshire Council for permission to add the lights to the pitch at William Brookes School in Much Wenlock.

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The new lights would also provide a boost to Much Wenlock Leisure Centre, which is based at the school and was saved last year after closure fears.

A design and access statement submitted with the application detailed plans for six 12-metre high floodlight columns, with LED head units on the top.

It was proposed that the new lights would be able to operate between 9am and 9pm on weekdays and from 9am to 6pm on weekends if required.

The application had attracted opposition from some local residents concerned about the impact of the lights and bats.

But Shropshire Council’s planning department has approved the plans, saying its own ecologist was not concerned about the effect on local bats, and that the negatives of the proposal do not outweigh the benefits.

A report detailing the approval states: “The lighting columns, whilst visible, are typical of such facilities and limited in scale, and any visual impacts (including from any acoustic mitigation, should these be required) are addressed through conditions requiring details of design and appearance of any structures or equipment, together with landscaping where appropriate to soften views.

“Whilst some change in outlook may occur, this does not amount to unacceptable harm in planning terms.

“The local planning authority has had regard to the potential ecological impacts of the proposal, including the effect of artificial lighting on bats, and notes the absence of objection from the council's ecologist who recommends informatives and good practice measures.

“Although the lighting specification exceeds that generally recommended for bat sensitivity, it is required for the functional use of the facility and is designed to minimise light spill, with further control provided through restricted hours of operation.

“It is therefore not considered that the proposal would result in unacceptable ecological harm.”

The report also says that the impact on local residents from the light was not enough to justify turning the plan down.

It states: “Concerns relating to parking, traffic, and behaviour are noted. Whilst the proposal would enable extended use of the existing facility and may result in an increase in activity levels, it would not introduce a new use and the site would remain in its established function as a sports facility. “

It adds: “It is considered that, subject to the proposed conditions and mitigation, the impacts of lighting, noise and activity would remain within acceptable limits and would not result in unacceptable harm to the living conditions of nearby residents.

“Overall, whilst some limited impacts may arise as a consequence of the proposal, these are not of a scale to justify refusal and can be effectively mitigated through conditions.

“The benefits of the proposal in terms of enhanced sporting provision, community access, and health and wellbeing are considered to outweigh any residual harm in the planning balance.”