A RETROSPECTIVE planning application to install 10 floodlights for two tennis courts in Whitchurch has been rejected following objections. 

Last year, Whitchurch Tennis Club in Laverstoke installed 10 low level telescopic floodlights of 4.6m height to replace the former floodlighting mast.

However, the club was forced to submit a retrospective planning application after many residents complained of the lights directly glaring into their bedrooms and front rooms.

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During a meeting of the borough council's development control committee, members of Laverstoke and Freefolk Parish Council said the new high intensity modern lighting is out of context in the rural hamlet with low intensity street lighting.

Parish councillor James Bretel said: “Whilst the application seeks to reinstate historic lights, it should be understood in the context of the application that the light ceased to be used prior to the year 2000. The light usage was infrequent and due to the age and technology the level of intensity and light spread was far less intrusive than we currently have.

“The proposed lighting is a substantial upgrade to the long disused lighting. And we would contend this application should be treated as a new development in a conservation area.

“When the retrospective planning application was published in 2021, it became evident that the specification for the lights was different from all that we had approved. The total number of light output is 297,000 [in current application] versus 145,000 that we had approved earlier. That is doubled. It also shows that there are two lines per pole rather than one line per pole.

“It was also our understanding when we improve the installation of lights that they'll be using two club nights per year and for occasional competition matches. This was fundamental to our supporting the installation of lights as a landlord. When we asked for confirmation of the timing, the club advisors wanted seven days a week. That was not our original understanding.”

Residents in Laverstoke and the surrounding area were divided on the planning application. There were 103 comments on the planning portal of BDBC – 52 objections, 50 supporting and one neutral comment.

Whitchurch ward councillor Chloe Ashfield also spoke in support of the application.

During a motion, the development control committee was divided. While eight councillors voted to reject the application, four councillors thought it should be approved.

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Following the refusal, the council also had to take a decision on enforcement action.

However, the council deferred this decision for two months to give time for the club and the parish council to negotiate the issues.