Brighter lights could be installed at an Isle of Wight football club’s home ground, but Cowes Sports insists the change will have less impact on its neighbours.
The Yachtsmen play at Westwood Park in Reynolds Close and the Wessex League Premier Division side is looking to upgrade its floodlights.
Seeking a more efficient LED system
The existing ones at Westwood Park are the typical ‘bulb’ type design, but the club wants a more efficient LED system.
The proposed new lights would be brighter and would provide a more even spread of lighting on the pitch, the club said in planning documents submitted to the Isle of Wight council.
It has also said the LED lights would cause ‘less overspill’ onto neighbouring properties.
Football Association rules on lighting
According to the Football Association (FA), playing at the level the club does, its ground should have lighting, which reads at least an average of 200 lux.
The football club is therefore seeking permission from the Isle of Wight council to change the conditions attached to the ground’s planning permission.
No more than 251 lux
It would allow the club to install the LED lights by increasing the illumination of the floodlights, reading an average of 225 lux, but no more than 251 lux.
The lights would fit onto the existing floodlight poles, the plans say.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 24/00199/RVC, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 15th March 2024.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
