The University of Liverpool had approval for lighting in the car park of the Leahurst hospital and practice site in Neston.

The university told planning officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council it was seeking approval for 17 six-metre-high lighting columns at the Chester Road site.

Five of the columns would carry two lights.

No representations were made by neighbours but Neston Civic Society suggested the lighting should be low impact to avoid light pollution in the Green Belt.

It suggested tree planting would help to defuse the light.

Landscape officers believed the lighting would affect the character of the open countryside but took account of the angle and direction of the lights.

Planning officers pointed out a scheme for eight-metre-high floodlights was refused in 2006.

The new plans provided for an increase in the number of lighting columns but their height had been reduced to six metres.

There was also a significant reduction in the average illumination.

The university pointed out Leahurst is one of five veterinary teaching schools in the UK and access is required 24 hours a day.

The location of the car park requires staff, students and visitors to walk to and from the site in the dark during certain times of the year and at night.

Planning officers argued the application would not create an intensely bright or widely visible feature, or have an undue effect on the Green Belt.

Very special circumstances had been demonstrated and they recommended the application could be approved.

The council agreed the lighting could have permission.