A Lancashire homeowner has opposed plans of a neighbouring school to install flood lights, stating it would be the "equivalent of 167 candles on my windowsill".
Hyndburn Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to decide on The Hollins High School's application for floodlights around a sports pitch.
The Accrington school is seeking permission to install six 10-metre high lighting columns with a total of 14 lights around an existing hard-surfaced sports area.
Despite 11 objections from neighbours concerned about light pollution, wildlife impact, noise and traffic, planning officers have recommended approval with conditions.
The Accrington school is seeking permission to install floodlights around a sports pitch
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The committee previously deferred their decision to allow a site visit, which took place on March 5.
The application was first discussed at the committee's February 19 meeting, where members voted to defer their decision.
This followed concerns raised by local residents about the strength of the proposed lights.
The site visit earlier this month allowed councillors to assess the potential impact on neighbouring properties.
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The school wants to install six 10-metre high lighting columns with a total of 14 lights (not pictured) around an existing hard-surfaced sports area
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The planning officer's report notes that the existing tarmacadam surface would be overlaid to create a Multi Games Area/football pitch.
If approved, the floodlights would enable students to use the facilities during darker winter days.
During the February meeting, nearby resident Stephen Lambert voiced his alarm about the strength of the proposed lights.
He told councillors: "I would have the equivalent of 167 candles sat on my windowsill."
The 11 objections from neighbours cited concerns including light pollution and glare.
Residents also raised worries about the impact on wildlife, noise from evening and weekend football matches, additional traffic, and inadequate car parking.
The planning committee must now weigh these concerns against the potential benefits of the proposal.
Hyndburn Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to decide
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Despite the objections, planning officers have recommended approval with five conditions.
The officer's report states: "There is a good chance that the glare from the pitches will be noticeable to residents, but the combination of the angling of the lights and the distance will ensure that the lights do not shine directly into nearby houses."
The report highlights that the development would "enable the use of the recreation facility in dark winter days with consequential benefit to the general well-being of participants."
With the recommended conditions, officers consider the floodlighting "acceptable in terms of residential amenity, ecology and highway safety."
The school has already taken action to address lighting concerns elsewhere on the premises.
According to the planning officer's report, the school "has become aware of possible impact from existing lighting at the front of the schools and car park."
These problematic lights, which were "mounted on a pole and on the fascia of the building, have now been removed from the premises."
