School Lights Spark Debate: Neighbor Compares Plan to 167 Candles

Hey, guess what’s happening near the high school? The Hollins High School wants to put up big lights. These lights would go around their sports field. A neighbor is not happy about it.

Stephen Lambert went to a council meeting. He complained about their lighting plan. The school, LET Education Trust, proposed it. They want to light up their sports court.

Adam Birkett spoke at the meeting. He noted the school is near houses. They want floodlights for the sports pitch. It’s behind the school buildings.

The plan includes six light poles. Each pole will be ten meters tall. There will be fourteen lights total. Four corner poles have two lights each. Two center poles have three lights each.

The sports court will get a new surface. It will become a multi-use games area. The lights let them use it when it’s dark. This will benefit the players’ health.

Mr. Lambert said the lights were too strong. He said they equal 167 candlepower. He worries people besides the school will use it on weekends and evenings.

He’s concerned about noise and traffic. The lights will cause glare and disrupt the area’s quiet evenings. He said it will be like 167 candles shining in his window.

The council wants to see the site first. They want to check how the lights affect homes. They will look at the pitch and floodlights. They delayed their decision until after the visit.