VILLAGERS have told Tarporley Parish Councillors that proposed floodlights on the school sports pitch would increase the amount of anti-social behaviour in the area.
Tarporley High School has submitted a planning application to Cheshire West and Chester Council for floodlights on the school sports pitch at the rear of the school.
The school says the floodlights are to enable the pitch to be used after school during the winter months. This is the second application for floodlights the first one which was made in October last year was later withdrawn. Residents who live in properties which back onto the school sports pitch packed out the village parish council meeting on Monday to express their concerns.
A spokesman for the residents told the councillors the lights would have a ‘detrimental impact’ on their lives. He said the application documents were ‘misleading’ and residents highlighted how the lights would encourage anti-social behaviour.
Concerns were raised about a lack of toilet facilities near the pitch, and residents emphasised the health problems related to light pollution.
School manager Jonathan Hayes who was at the meeting tried to reassure the residents.
He said: “We withdrew the last application to make amendments which addressed concerns of the local residents. The pitch will be primarily for school use.”
He also highlighted that the parish council had spoken to the school about the need for more community sports facilities in the village.
Tarporley parish councillors voted not to object to the application but asked for the planning conditions to include changing and toilet facilities be made available to those who use the pitch and the lights be directed onto the pitch.
