A PLAN to floodlight a sports pitch at Kingsbridge Community College looks set to go ahead after South Hams Council's planning department recommended conditional approval.

The college wants to put up eight, 15m tall floodlights around its all-weather pitch alongside the school.

While many of the local sports teams which use the pitch for training and matches are keen to see the floodlights in place, some nearby residents have objected.

Their main concerns include light pollution, noise, traffic, parking issues and the impact upon the area of outstanding natural beauty.

A public meeting in March, chaired by the college's chairman of governors David Arnold and principal Roger Pope, attracted over 70 people. At the meeting, the plan received strong support, particularly from local sports teams.

Further backing was received in May from Kingsbridge Town Council which had no objection to the plan, subject to an environmental health and ecological reports showing no adverse impact.

However, many residents are against the move and have voiced their concerns in letters to South Hams Council.

Jean Lock, of Waverley Road, Westville, Kingbridge, said: 'I wish to add my name to the many residents of Westville who object to the way the community college is impacting upon our wellbeing.

'As the school has grown, the traffic movement on the hill has become quite overpowering. All the roads around have severe parking difficulties, and it is getting worse.'

For more on this story, see this week's Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette