A DRIVING range in Grayshott has been refused permission to install flood lights to allow play to carry on after dark. Members of East Hampshire District Council's north planning committee voted against the officer's recommendation to permit the application to install four paired and ground- mounted floodlights to enable play to continue after dark at Tri Golf at Applegarth Farm, Headley Road, Grayshott. A previous application for floodlighting was withdrawn by the applicant when concern was expressed regarding the impact of the lights both on the locality and to local wildlife. A demonstration was held, attended, among others, by representatives of the parish council and EHDC's landscape officer. Four letters of support and three letters of objection were received by EHDC. The following concerns were raised: contrary to the original intention for there to be no lights, out of keeping with the area, intrusion in the local gap, light pollution, impact on wildlife, increased traffic and noise and additional golf balls in adjacent properties. In his report, planning officer Keith Oliver stated: "The applicants advise the business started in May 2004, providing facilities for both members and on a 'pay as you practice' basis. It also provides local schools with extra-curriculum golf tuition. Since opening, they advise 87 per cent of their weekday customers visit between 4 pm and 8 pm, this clearly provides a problem during the winter months when natural daylight is not available." The intention is that the lights would be switched off at 8 pm and would only be required for six months of the year. The lighting system consists of floodlights at ground level behind earth mounds. "The impact of the lights outside of the site is likely to be limited because of the low level of the lights, the reduced light levels, the direction of the light and the existing screening," Mr Oliver said. Local member Ferris Cowper commented: "This application is all about the darkness of the night sky, which is not a black and white issue. It is in the local gap and outside the settlement policy boundary in the countryside. When it was originally approved it was on the condition that there would be no floodlights. On balance I think we should keep the countryside dark." David O'Donnell agreed and pointed out that when Alton Football Club applied to install floodlights it was because their circumstances had changed – they had got into a different league and many of the games were played later in the evening. He said: "When we originally agreed to this application in 1996 it was on the condition that there would be no floodlights. The local gap has not moved and I do not understand why we would change our decision when it was made for a very good reason." Mr Oliver recommended to councillors that permission be granted on the site but only three voted in favour of his recommendation, a further 13 committee members voted against it. The application was refused because of loss of amenity in the local gap.
