I have to say that the scaremongering over what will be only a couple of hours usage every couple of weeks is quite alarming. Also, the number of spectators likely to be in attendance is very low- there are often as many people within the playing area as there are outside it at North West Counties League level, with 100 being generally considered a very good attendance.
I also note that you mention that dugouts were erected without permission; there is no regulation whatsoever requiring planning permission for dugouts. Such structures do not exceed 6 feet in height and are therefore exempt in most jurisdictions. But let’s not let facts get in the way of things.
Incidentally, modern floodlights can be shone only on the playing area, as they are effectively blinkered to prevent light spilling into areas where it is not required. The fact that the pylons are 15 metres high allows this to work better, as the lights are directed downwards, rather than sideways.
The record attendance for a North West Counties League fixture stood at 1,353 for sixteen years, Radcliffe Borough’s First Division Championship decider with Caernarfon Town attracting this gate in 1982-83 season. Workington’s pulling power saw them exceed this in their 1998-99 Championship season, the deciding fixture with Mossley seeing 2,281 spectators through the turnstiles at Borough Park. In season 2005-06 the “phenomenal popularity” of new club FC United of Manchester’s Division Two championship winning team set a new record with 6,023 spectators at their Saturday home game versus Great Harwood Town.
FC United’s successful side of season 2006-07 continued to cause attendances to soar, both in the Challenge Cup and League competitions, with 4,058 spectators at Salford City for their NWCFL Premier Division fixture – the best ever attendance for a “night match”. This season saw them become the only club since the league’s inception to win all four league competitions they competed in during one season – First Division Championship, Reserve Division Championship, League Challenge Cup, and Reserve Division Cup.
The football pitch sits within a conservation area so specialised planning regulations apply. The head of planning has informed us that the developer has been told he needs planning permission for the dugouts but has not yet supplied it and a reminder letter has been sent this week.
The houses neighbouring the pitch are extremely close to where the floodlights will be located and are elevated by approximately 39 feet. At least 1 resident’s bedroom window will sit only 10 feet below the level of the floodlight.
In addition to this, the Temple Report (DEFRA) states that “It should also be recognised that not only the absolute levels of lighting may result in nuisance, but also the change that occurs over pre-existing ambient lighting levels.” Pre-existing lighting on the football field is effectively ZERO!!
I have to say that the scaremongering over what will be only a couple of hours usage every couple of weeks is quite alarming. Also, the number of spectators likely to be in attendance is very low- there are often as many people within the playing area as there are outside it at North West Counties League level, with 100 being generally considered a very good attendance.
I also note that you mention that dugouts were erected without permission; there is no regulation whatsoever requiring planning permission for dugouts. Such structures do not exceed 6 feet in height and are therefore exempt in most jurisdictions. But let’s not let facts get in the way of things.
Incidentally, modern floodlights can be shone only on the playing area, as they are effectively blinkered to prevent light spilling into areas where it is not required. The fact that the pylons are 15 metres high allows this to work better, as the lights are directed downwards, rather than sideways.
The text below is taken from the Vodkat league website and details some attendance figures.
http://www.vodkatleague.com/index.php?page=league-history
The record attendance for a North West Counties League fixture stood at 1,353 for sixteen years, Radcliffe Borough’s First Division Championship decider with Caernarfon Town attracting this gate in 1982-83 season. Workington’s pulling power saw them exceed this in their 1998-99 Championship season, the deciding fixture with Mossley seeing 2,281 spectators through the turnstiles at Borough Park. In season 2005-06 the “phenomenal popularity” of new club FC United of Manchester’s Division Two championship winning team set a new record with 6,023 spectators at their Saturday home game versus Great Harwood Town.
FC United’s successful side of season 2006-07 continued to cause attendances to soar, both in the Challenge Cup and League competitions, with 4,058 spectators at Salford City for their NWCFL Premier Division fixture – the best ever attendance for a “night match”. This season saw them become the only club since the league’s inception to win all four league competitions they competed in during one season – First Division Championship, Reserve Division Championship, League Challenge Cup, and Reserve Division Cup.
The football pitch sits within a conservation area so specialised planning regulations apply. The head of planning has informed us that the developer has been told he needs planning permission for the dugouts but has not yet supplied it and a reminder letter has been sent this week.
The houses neighbouring the pitch are extremely close to where the floodlights will be located and are elevated by approximately 39 feet. At least 1 resident’s bedroom window will sit only 10 feet below the level of the floodlight.
In addition to this, the Temple Report (DEFRA) states that “It should also be recognised that not only the absolute levels of lighting may result in nuisance, but also the change that occurs over pre-existing ambient lighting levels.” Pre-existing lighting on the football field is effectively ZERO!!