Netball courts floodlight plan backed by council

There were 64 objections lodged against the plans and 53 comments made in support

Plans to install floodlights and a three-metre (10ft) acoustic fence at a sport centre's netball courts have been approved.

The project at ELA Active Impington, in Impington, near Cambridge, divided opinion - with 64 objections being lodged against the plans and 53 comments made in support.

Fears were shared that light pollution and noise could potentially have health impacts for people living nearby.

However, others highlighted the benefits and said upgrading the facilities would create a community asset that also "supports women, young and older people to access sports".

The netball courts were "condemned for match play and league use" in 2018 after the court surface was considered to be below acceptable standards.

The application to install floodlights and an acoustic fence was submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council to allow the courts to be used more. They will also be resurfaced.

Similar plans were approved in 2020 but the work never took place, leading to the permission lapsing.

A council meeting was told the sports centre had previously hosted a number of netball leagues and clubs, with the courts also being used by schools in the area, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Objections to the plans centred around potential health impacts due to noise disturbance and light pollution.

A majority of councillors agreed to approve the application after a vote.