A COMMUNITY rugby league club's plans for new floodlights have been given the go-ahead.

What were the plans?

Portico Vine, on Scholes Lane, unveiled its new clubhouse last year after its long-awaited renovation was completed.

The club has submitted a planning application for the installation of 11 floodlights mounted on 6six 10-metre columns, and one floodlight mounted on five-metre column.

A supporting statement in the plans states: “Portico Vine ARLFC are a community based club, entirely run by volunteers.

“They have been in existence at Scholes lane for almost 50 years providing an opportunity to enjoy taking part in physical activity and instil a love of being active, creating a healthier community.”

They added that its new clubhouse opening in May 2022, “the agreed location for the new clubhouse was immediately in front of the existing clubhouse separated by a 3m external corridor”.

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It was added: “The new building is higher than the existing clubhouse and hence blocking off the floodlights from giving light to the grassed areas used for training”.

The club said that during the winter “training during the dark nights has not been possible and in several cases teams have hired third-party floodlit pitches at a cost to the parents / carers and the volunteer run club during this difficult time of the cost of living crisis”.

The statement added: “Rather than relocate these old, inefficient halogen light fittings to the front of the new clubhouse we are planning to install new floodlights which are LED and energy efficient on lighting poles to give the best lighting levels without being an eye sore mounted on the fantastic new clubhouse.

“Although they will be predominantly used in the winter months we request all year round approval as per previous planning approval as it allows the older teams to train later in early spring and autumn as most of the older teams members are working and training takes place after work.

“The floodlights will be high efficiency LED helping reduce running costs and helping the environment.”

The plans received one letter of support and one neutral representation.

In a report, recommending approval, case officer Aqib Saghir said: "It is considered the installation of floodlights in this location will not detract from the visual amenity of the area and the design is acceptable.

"The introduction of lighting columns within the environment of the playing field is not considered unusual and the site has a history of floodlights being present".

The application has been approved.