The plan is intended to make it better but people have raised concerns
Neighbours have raised fears floodlights they claim are already so bright they ‘hurt their eyes’ will get ‘even worse’ under new plans. The University of Cambridge submitted plans to replace 12 floodlights on the sports and athletics track on Wilberforce Road in Newnham.
Though the new lights will be taller, they said this will reduce light spill by allowing them to focus light more on the pitch itself. Mike Osbourn, the university’s planning manager, told Cambridge City Council ’s planning committee that the current lights are “failing and no longer fit for purpose”.
He called the replacement “essential” to enable “the continued safe and effective use of the athletics track”. He said they had considered feedback from residents when designing the scheme but recognised they still have concerns.
He said: “Whilst we respectfully disagree with their opinion of the scheme, the university values its relationship with our community and will continue to engage with them as a responsible neighbour going forward.”
Dr Peter Rees, county councillor for Newnham, said: “As a university sportsman of several years, in principle I would have really liked to support this application – unfortunately, I can’t”. The Green councillor said the nearby Cambridge Lawn Tennis Club had added blockers to the side of their lights but this was rejected for the athletics track.
Cllr Rees said: “They had a lighting study performed which shows that the spill is going to be decreased, but the point is there’s lateral glare. I know this because when I walk at night on the footpath my eyes actually hurt.
“What they are proposing is to make them even higher, even brighter – so it’s going to get even worse.”
Council officers said the new lights were designed to angle the light downwards with an internal shield and they didn’t feel further blockers were necessary. They said they considered it would reduce the current light spill.
Cllr Katie Porrer, Lib Dem councillor for Market and chair of the planning committee, said: “We’ve had huge concerns about increased light spills, some we have rejected, so it’s actually very positive for me that this is coming with a decrease in light spill because it’s such a beautiful area.”
Cllr Martin Smart, Labour councillor for King’s Hedges, said: “That’s not what the speakers and the local neighbourhood forum and the councillors have said – they have said the opposite. What is the implication here? Are we being told that those people should look the other way, draw their curtains and not be worried about that?
“It’s an issue for them, it might be good for bats and invertebrates, but they aren’t here to speak at this committee.”
Council officers reiterated that they were “highly confident” that the new lights would be better than the current ones for light spill. The application was passed unanimously with an informative added that the university limits unnecessary light when the field isn’t being used.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login