Eight tennis floodlights at Alkrington Tennis And Social Club Uplands, Middleton, Rochdale

“Planning permission is sought for 8no 7m high lighting columns around courts four and five. The lights were originally proposed to be lit until 10pm, this was proposed as the existing lights are lit until 10pm. This has now been amended to 9pm. The proposed lighting columns will have a galvanised finish.”

“The application relates to Alkrington Tennis and Social Club, an established outdoor tennis club with five courts, a pavilion and car park. The site is within a dense residential area, where the rear boundary of some dwellings meets the tennis club on the north, south and west boundary. These streets are on Kingsway, Crow Hill North and Uplands. The proposed lighting columns relate specifically to courts four and five which are bound by no.”

“The site is accessed off Uplands in Middleton and is within the Defined Urban Area as designated in the Rochdale Unitary Development Plan 2006.”

“88/D21368 – Floodlighting of tennis court – Approved.”

“19/00312/FUL - Removal and replacement of existing timber raised balcony/platform to rear with enlarged structure including glazed balustrade – Approved.”

“Environmental Protection 5.6 The Environmental Health Officer has raised no objections in relation to noise impact, subject to a condition requiring the implementation of the submitted Noise Management Plan, and a condition limiting the use of the lights to no later than 9pm and no earlier than 8am.”

“Lighting Officer 5.7 Lighting Officer has raised no objections subject to the installation data of the lanterns being provided on a layout plan. This can be secured via condition.”

“Negative impact on wildlife including owls. Officer Comment: These are assessed in ‘Ecology’ section of the report Light pollution. Officer Comment: These are assessed in ‘Lighting’ section of the report Noise pollution. Officer Comment: These are assessed in ‘Noise’ section of the report Negative impact on privacy. Officer Comments: These are assessed in ‘Impact on Surrounding Occupiers’ section of the report Property devaluation.”

“It was MOVED and SECONDED that the application be APPROVED, subject to an additional condition to install a timer to ensure all lights automatically switch off at 9 p.m.”

“On being put to the vote, EIGHT VOTES were cast IN FAVOUR of approval and THREE VOTES were cast AGAINST with one ABSTENTION.”

“DECISION: That planning permission be GRANTED, subject to the conditions set out in the report and an additional condition relating to the installation of a timer that would ensure all lights automatically switch off at 9 p.m.”