Agenda item

Erection of 3 no. 8m high lighting columns with 300w LED floodlights

Peter Paine Performance Centre, Rosebery Avenue, Boston, PE21 7QR

Shawn Thomas, Boston College

Erection of 3 no. 8m high lighting columns with 300w LED floodlight.

Peter Paine Performance Centre, Rosebery Avenue, Boston, PE21 7QR.

Mr Shawn Thomas, Boston College.

The Growth Manager presented the report to the committee confirming there were no updates to the report tabled.

Presentation was received from Ward Member Councillor Stephen Woodliffe which included:

Stressing that he was very supportive of the college and agreeing that the facilities of Peter Paine needed to be used positively, he stated that whilst the application did not affect residents on Rosebery Avenue, the lights would affect Harrow Place which was not mentioned on the map.  A very significant development called Rosebery North was being developed close to the drain and when Peter Paine had been taken over by Boston College and the fields around were undeveloped, had the lights been put in at that time there would have been no complaints.  However, there was now a very large development along the drain, approximately 120 houses being built.   The residents of Harrow Place would be facing the lights.  Councillor Woodliffe then confirmed he had called the application in on grounds on G1 Amenity with possible effects by G10 clauses 3 and 4.   The difficulty was the nearby residents might not appreciate the impact of such bright lights, prior them being installed.  Once in place it would be difficult to do anything about them.  Environmental Health had stated they had reservations in respect of light spillage beyond the site, in particular relation to Harrow Place.  Having spoken with those residents Councillor Woodliffe confirmed that they had voiced concerns about the impact the lights could have facing their homes.  Residents had noted that the existing floodlights already caused a noise disturbance with people playing sport and felt the same impact would be created by installation of the proposed lighting.

Members were advised that Councillor Woodliffe’s principal concern was the power of the lights.  He referenced an experiment in America the Chesapeake Bay Waterman’s Study which analysed fishermen exposed to bright lights reflecting off water daily: the blue light exposure had been found to increase the risk of age- related macular degeneration.  It had however been difficult to quantify light exposure in everday life.  In experimental mice bright light had caused permanent retinal damage.  If the light had the intensity of sunlight, short exposure times could cause damage.  If the light was not so bright chronic exposure over days to weeks could cause permanent damage known as photo-oxalated damage.    It also suggested people with blue eyes had a much greater risk.   Addressing the lights in the application, members were advised that they operated at a rating of 6000 degress centigrade which reflected the brightness of the sun where the surface was 6000 degrees centigrade.  The lights as such operated at a light colour value of 6000 centigrade and produced around 27,000 lumen.   A standard car headlight was 1000 lumen so as such the total light produced could be similar to 81,000 lumen over the three lights.  It was recognised that the lights were pointed downwards over the pitch but some would be reflected off, most of which would be in the bluer end of the spectrum.  Children in the bedrooms of the properties on Harrow Place could be in direct line of sight of the lights which would be run in the middle of winter whilst the evenings were dark.  There was also a gap within the trees which was where the lights would be.   Councillor Woodliffe stated he was reluctant to oppose the best use for the site but stressed he was concerned that the health impacts had not been properly evaluated by the officers and he reminded members that they needed to be very alert to the impact of the lights on young eyes.

It is recorded that Councillor Woodliffe absented from the meeting completely at this part in the proceedings.

During committee deliberation the Legal Officer advised that LED lights were a lot more focussed than older lighting with the spread being a lot less and planning permission did not mitigate any nuisance:  if something was granted planning permission and then it was deemed to be a nuisance to a certain segment of society, the planning permission would not prevent action being taken.

Councillor Ashton asked it be recorded that he appreciated the extent and research and dilegance of Councillor Woodliffe in his presentation to the committee and he stated he wished more public speakers carried out such a  level of research and provided such a level of detail.

It was moved by Councillor Jonathan Noble and seconded by Councillor Michael Cooper:

That committee grant the application in line with officer recommedation, subject to the conditions and reasons therein.

Vote:       In Favour    12.     Against    0.    Abstention    0

RESOLVED:       That committee grant the application in line with officer recommendation subject to the following condition and informatives:

1             The works must be begun not later than the expiration of three years 

           beginning with the date of this permission.

Reason: Required to be imposed pursuant to Section 51 of the Planning and Complsory Purchase Act 2004.

2.      The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following plans and details:

§     Site Location Plan – drwg no. 001/051118

§     Site Plan – drwg no. 002/051118

Reason: To ensure the development is undertaken in accordance with the approved details and to accord with Boston Borough Local Plan 1999, Policy G1.

3.      The 3 no. 300w lights hereby approved shall not be illuminated except between the hours of 16.00 and 19.30 Monday to Friday and at no other time. The lights shall not be illuminated when the training pitch is not in use during these times.

Reason:  In the interests of the amenities of adjoining residential properties and to accord with Boston Local Plan 1999 Policy G1.

In determining this application, the authority has taken account of the guidance in paragraph 38 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2018 in order to seek to secure sustainable development that improves the economic, social and environmental conditions of the Borough.

It is recorded that Councillor Stephen Woodliffe returned to the meeting at this point in the proceedings.