Replacement floodlighting at Roffey Football Club, Horsham
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Horsham Planning Committee on 7 Oct 2025.
What was proposed
The application proposed replacing existing floodlights with like-for-like LED units on the existing 16-metre columns.
“This application seeks planning permission for the replacement of existing floodlighting. The new like for like LEDS units would be installed on all existing columns. The existing 16 metres columns would be re-used and stay in place.”
Officer report
The site
The football pitch lies beside Bartholomew Way, south of the A264, with mature landscaping, a car park and homes to its south.
“The application site is located on the eastern side of Bartholomew Way. The site is situated to the south of the A264. The pitch is surrounded by mature landscaping and positioned to the east of the existing car park. There are residential properties along the south of the pitch.”
“The site falls within the built-up area of Horsham. However, the site does not fall within a conservation area nor within the setting of a listed building.”
Officer report
Earlier site decisions
Earlier permissions covered a standing-spectator canopy and a retrospective observation tower.
“DC/22/1474 Erection of canopy for standing spectators. Application Permitted on 23.02.2023”
“DC/24/0120 Erection of observation tower (retrospective) Application Permitted on 02.04.2024”
Officer report
Officers’ assessment
Officers considered the proposal acceptable in principle, visually acceptable and no more harmful to nearby living conditions than the existing floodlights.
“The proposal seeks to replace the existing floodlighting. The proposal would be within the context of an existing sports pitch facility and would contribute to the improvement of the existing community facility. It is considered that the proposal would accord with Policy 43 of the HDPF and Policy HB14 of the Horsham Blueprint Business Neighbourhood Plan.”
“The proposal would replace existing floodlights already present on site, where it is considered that the development would result in no greater unacceptable harm to the living conditions of nearby occupiers.”
Officer report
Consultation responses
Environmental Health raised no objection, while Property advised precautions to reduce nuisance and the parish council sought protection against light leakage.
“- Light from floodlights shine directly into sitting room, Environmental Health assessed the issue and adjustment to floodlights were made. - Still experience problems from another light worse during winter when trees shed their leaves. - Spoils enjoyment of property.”
“North Horsham Parish Council: No Objection However, want to be assured there won’t be light leakage onto neighbouring properties.”
Officer report
Committee discussion
Members considered an additional objection, the planning history, unchanged lighting hours and the existing tree screening.
“Members noted the planning history of the application.”
“Members clarifed whether the hours of lighting detailed in the report differed from the existing hours, and it was confirmed that there would be no change. It was noted that the existing tree screening around the pitch would minimise any impact on the local area.”
Minutes
The committee’s decision
The committee approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation.
“That DC/25/0827 be approved in accordance with officer recommendation.”
Minutes
Sources
- Horsham Planning Committee minutes, 7 October 2025
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Horsham's committee minutes and officer report. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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See the API →At the meeting
- Committee
- Horsham Planning Committee
- Council
- Horsham
- Date
- Tuesday 7 October 2025
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
- The application (council website)
- All decisions
- Horsham committee decisions →
This committee's year
11 decisions in the 12 months to this meeting, 2 against officer advice.
Source: Plota analysis of the committee's minutes.