Planning Applications PDF 1 MB - Meetings, agendas and minutes

it is appropriate for the intended use; provides the minimum amount of light necessary
to achieve its purpose; is energy efficient; and provides adequate protection from glare
and light spill, particularly to nearby sensitive receptors such as residential properties.'
To establish the reasonable limits for the creation of any further light pollution in relation
to neighbouring residential properties, the Council is guided by the Institute of Lighting
Professional's 'Guidance Notes for the Reduction of Obtrusive Light GN01:2011' which
recommends that in suburban areas, the maximum light intrusion into windows should
be 10 lux 'pre-curfew' (generally understood to be 11pm) and 1 lux post curfew.
3.20 In support of their application, the applicants have submitted a lighting report with
modelling diagrams of the light spillage. The pitch lighting has been designed to comply
with the Sport England and FA requirements for training and small sided football which
require community pitches to be lit to 120lux.
3.21 Modelling of the lighting proposals, without mitigation methods, shows that the
light spillage reaching the nearest residential facades would be below 10 lux in all cases
apart from on the flank wall of 80-90 White City Close where illuminance would reach 10
to 15 lux. However, this wall does not contain windows to habitable rooms - there is one
small bathroom window on this wall to each floor level. With regard to the other
surrounding residential properties, illumination reaching Batman Close and Baird House
would be less than 1 lux, the rear elevation of the redeveloped BBC TV Centre would be
illuminated by 1 to 5 lux and the rear elevation of 80-90 White City Close would be
illuminated by 1 to 10 lux. It is therefore considered that the impact of the lighting on
neighbouring properties would be acceptable in the pre-curfew hours, but additionally,
rear shields and louvres can be fitted to the rear of the lights to further reduce light
spillage, and it is the applicant's intention that this is done. It should also be noted that
the modelling of the lighting is based on a 'worst case' scenario of all the lights being on
at once, but the applicants have confirmed that each pitch would have individual lighting
controls and that if a pitch is not being used, the lights would be switched off. This would
be a condition of any planning approval (Condition 15). It would also be a condition
(Condition 16) that shields would be fitted to all lights on the perimeter of the site to
further reduce light spillage as much as possible, and that a post-development light
spillage survey is carried out to ensure that illumination of neighbouring facades
complies with the recommended standards and are further reduced as far as possible.
The hours of use of the pitches would be restricted by planning condition (Condition 30)
. No use would be allowable after 10pm (9pm on Sundays), and all floodlights must be
switched off by 22.15 (21.15 on Sundays). Details of the car park lighting would be
required as part of Condition 13 to ensure that illuminance of this area is suitable and
does not cause light pollution to neighbours.
3.22 It is therefore considered that subject to conditions, the proposals would not have
an unreasonable impact on the amenities of neighbouring properties in terms of light
pollution and that the proposal is thus compliant with Policy DM H8 of the DM Local
Plan.
Noise and disturbance
3.23 Whilst it should be noted that the site already provides sports pitches that are
floodlit and thus available for evening use, the proposed development would be
expected to intensify this use and could therefore lead to further noise from the playing
of football matches. Such noise can be difficult to quantify as it depends on how many
pitches are in use at one time, and to some extent the behaviour of the players
themselves. However, using data from an existing PlayFootball facility in Swansea, the