School has floodlights bid turned down due to impact on landscape

PLANS to build four floodlights on sports courts at a school in Henley have been refused.

Rupert House in Bell Street applied for planning permission for the lights, which would measure 9.7m in height.

They would serve the courts used for tennis and netball and extend the opening hours of the courts from 5.30pm to 9.30pm.

The lights would allow for Henley Hawks Netball Club and pupils to use the facilities in the evenings.

A planning statement by the school said they would be “carefully positioned” to face away from nearby houses on the Fair Mile to minimise light spill.

It said that the lighting would also be in keeping with the existing neighbouring sporting uses at Henley Rugby Club, which has floodlighting installed.

However, South Oxfordshire District Council refused the application on the grounds it would result in harm to the appearance of the site, which is on the Chilterns National Landscape.

An officer said: “The development does not seek to further the purposes of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the area. Officers are unconvinced that the development can justify the impact on the Chilterns National Landscape with the introduction of further lighting (in addition to the adjacent rugby pitches) on the settlement edge.”

Residents had also objected to the application over the potential impact on wildlife and increased light pollution.

Helen O’Brien, of Northfield End, said: “The level of light from the existing floodlights is tolerated but very noticeable.

“Adding more floodlights at Rupert House playing fields will create further high levels of light in the evenings, not just impacting residents but also wildlife. It is very close to the woodland areas leading up to The Mount and open fields.

“We also question if the lights are for improving performance or to maximise revenue from private hire of the sports field.”

Marc Pullen, acting on behalf of residents in Northfield End, said the lights would be “wholly unacceptable” because of the property’s proximity to them.

He said: “The garden is only 7m from the edge of the court, with a mesh fence and hedge which is not a solid boundary.

“There are windows to bedrooms at first floor looking directly to the courts, only around 25m away. This means that any noise and light from the courts is very noticeable from the garden and inside the house.

“It is wholly unacceptable for proposed floodlights to be installed that will lead to illumination of a private garden area to the level shown.”

He added: “Noise is very noticeable at present from netball — the sport is one that has a lot of umpire whistles, shouting between teammates and cheering — and this would carry on into late evenings. In addition, there would be noise from cars parking and manoeuvring and a large area so close to my clients’ property.”

Henley Town Council had recommended that the plans were approved following a meeting in February.

Meanwhile, a contractor has responded to a tender by the town council for repair work of an art gallery and store in Henley.

It comes after a survey found the Old Fire Station Gallery in Market Place was in a “generally fair” condition, although it was deteriorating and the roof would need replacing in the “not too distant” future.

Becky Walker, the council’s estate manager, said the roof of the West Street Store, to which the gallery is attached, would need replacing in the next couple of years.

In 2022, it was estimated the cost of a new roof, structural repairs and insulation to the Grade II listed buildings, which is owned by the council, would cost about £148,000.

However, due to inflation pressures within the construction sector, a report by Janus Historic Building Surveyors said a “sustained shortage of skilled labour” and rise in material costs would result in higher fees.

Construction company DBR, which was the only tender received by the town council, negotiated a fee of £361,760 for the repairs to the buildings.

A final decision on whether to go ahead with the company will be made by the full council.