'Blinding' Mixed reaction at bid to increase use of ground floodlights

A CRICKET club's plans in Bristol to apply for permission to switch on floodlights for longer are angering neighbours living nearby. Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is based on Nevil Road in Ashley Down and is trying to increase the hours when floodlights can be turned on.

- Alex SEABROOK Local democracy reporter

Bristol City Council is due to decide this week whether to grant permission. If so, then the club could use floodlights for more than the currently allowed 15 days a year from 10am and 7pm, to allow matches to carry on when there is a lack of daylight between April and September.

The plans will be considered by councillors on the development control A committee on Wednesday, August 13. Several local residents wrote to the council's planning department, objecting to the changes to the floodlights, which are like "looking at a car headlight".

One neighbour said: "The floodlights are on this afternoon and they are a lot brighter than the ambient light. From my home workspace they have the effect of looking at a car headlight on main beam, ie, dazzling and distracting."