A rugby club has been granted permission to install six new floodlights by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
At the council’s planning meeting on Wednesday February 8, councillors voted unanimously in favour of granting permission for the existing floodlights at Nelson RFC, Lan-y-Parc, to be replaced with six new columns.
One of the columns will serve a dual purpose as a telecommunications mast, providing 3G and 4G coverage, sitting at 20 metres high.
The five other floodlight columns are 15 metres tall.
The initial application by Shared Access, Vodafone, and Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited (CITL) was deferred by the Planning Committee on Wednesday January 11 so amendments could be made in relation to how much light would be spilling onto nearby residential areas from the floodlights.
In order to reduce the level of light spill to the area surrounding the pitch, and residential properties, it was agreed that shielding would be added to the floodlights, as well as an imposition requiring the lights to be switched off between 9.30pm and 8am every day.
As a result of the amendments, the Environmental Health Officer removed their initial objection to the proposals.
Nelson Rugby Club has more than 500 members, including 250 children, 60 girls for their ‘Belles’ team, and over 100 registered senior players.