Calls for 'lights out' at Plat Douet's new pitch

Friday 04 February 2022

There are calls for ‘lights out’ at Plat Douet’s new 3G pitch, with some nearby residents arguing that the floodlights - which the Government did not properly apply for - will leave them without peace.

A retrospective application for the six lights made by Jersey Property Holdings was posted last month, more than 15 months since the original application for the pitch got the 'OK' for kick-off from planning.

In one objection dated 23 January 2022, a nearby resident said the floodlights would have a "hugely detrimental" impact on his quality of life.

He also questioned the legality of the process as Jersey Property Holdings did not originally have planning permission to install them.

The resident said he first became aware of the works after contacting the contractor about late night noise from the construction of the 3G pitch in July 2021, where he was informed they were also installing floodlights - something which had not been included in the original planning application.

Pictured: Residents are concerned they were not properly consulted that the pitch would be for community usage as well as school usage.

He said he tried to contact Property Holdings and the school's headteacher to find out why this was omitted, as he would have objected had he known, but received no response.

CYPES and JPH officials both admitted that a floodlights application hadn't been submitted in emails to the neighbouring resident.

The objector argued that "even after [he] had highlighted" the lack of application in August last year, "they continued with the installation of the infrastructure as the pitch was being constructed."

In an e-mail from December shared by one of the residents, Plat Douet's headteacher said that it would principally be used for the curriculum with some "community use out of hours" and that "local residents will be consulted [on times the floodlights will be used] when we are in a position to use the pitch."

He added that after a meeting on 10 December 2021, residents were told that the pitch would be used Saturday mornings from 08:30 and weekdays until at least 20:00, but had still not received confirmation from Jersey Property Holdings in writing as requested.

Summarising his objections, he said that it would qualify a change of use as most likely it would be used for community sport as well as for the school, that the guidance on the installation of floodlights had not properly been followed, that neighbours were not consulted and that the increase in light pollution would be "horrendous".

Other objections have also been posted on the retrospective application, highlighting the same concerns. One argued that it "will affect all our rooms on the back of the house until after [22:00]" and stated that "all of the neighbouring properties" should have been made aware of the hours of use from the outset.

Commenting on the application, IHE Regulation Standards Manager Robert Bowditch stated that it is "recommended restrictions are placed on the day and times that the lights can be used and that consideration is given to the construction of the fencing to limit any further potential light spill."



Mr Bowditch added that even if permission is granted it does not defend the Government from potential nuisance action.

After being contacted by Express for comment, the Government said they do not comment on live planning applications.