Floodlight plans for Wrexham secondary school backed for approval despite neighbours’ concerns

Proposals to install 15-metre-high floodlights at an all-weather sports pitch have been backed for approval despite neighbours’ concerns.

The plans would see eight columns, each with two LED lights attached, put up to improve facilities at Ysgol Clywedog in Wrexham.

The site is one of two community footballing hubs being created to serve clubs in the area as part of a strategy involving Wrexham Council and the Football Association of Wales.

However, residents living close to the school on Ruthin Road have raised fears over the height of the lights and the noise generated by the facility.

The application has been submitted by Freedom Leisure – an arms length company responsible for managing the county’s leisure facilities on behalf of the council.

In a report, the authority’s head of planning said the columns should be given the go ahead subject to restrictions on the times they can be used.

Lawrence Isted said: “I would not anticipate any significant impact on properties to the north of Ruthin Road given the distance between and intervening large trees on the site perimeter.

“Ruthin Road generates significant levels of traffic which to some extent will also help negate the impact of noise from the proposal.

“The Homestead development is to the south and south east with the closest properties between 50 and 55 metres away.

“The Light Overspill Chart indicates light from the floodlights should not have any significant impact on those properties and will only be for the winter months.

“Freedom Leisure have also given assurances that any unforeseen glare impact would be limited by the use of cowlings.”

The hours of used would be 5pm to 9pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays.

Mr Isted said a timer would be fitted on the lights to ensure the hours of use are restricted.
The proposals will be discussed by members of the authority’s planning committee next week.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).