A PLAN to install floodlights around a sports pitch at a city school was refused by the council after neighbours complained they would shine into their gardens.

Worcester City Council rejected a plan by Christopher Whitehead Language College in Bromwich Road in Worcester to install six eight-metre floodlights around one of its all-weather sports pitches saying it would do too much harm to nearby residents.

The school wanted the floodlights to allow the facilities to be used by the school and public until 9.15pm in the evening, weekends and during school holidays and for longer during the winter when it gets darker earlier.

City council planning officers refused the plan saying that allowing the floodlights would mean more disruption for neighbours - particularly through noise - later into the night.

The council said it had asked but was not provided with any information which showed how noisy the area could be if floodlights were installed nor had it been provided with any of the ways in which the school planned to reduce the noise and disruption for neighbours.

Several neighbours in Bromwich Road, Withers Road and Homefield Road objected to the plan.

One resident in Bromwich Road said the lights would sit directly in front of his lounge and bedroom windows and he would be unable to enjoy the comfort of his own home if the plan was allowed to go ahead.

“It is obvious that if lights are necessary they will be operated outside of the normal school hours,” he said.

“We reluctantly accept the increased noise of school activities over past years, both during the week and at weekends.

“The further impeding disturbance that this suggestion will bring is entirely unacceptable.”

Abacus Lighting, which helped prepare the application for Christopher Whitehead, said the plan met all the guidance and passed the relevant tests to show the floodlights would not be obtrusive.