Plans for new floodlights at Helston Rugby Club pitch for all year use

Earlier this year the club was given conditional planning permission to extend and alter its clubhouse in Clodgey Lane, providing permanent access to the first-floor area, create a balcony overlooking the pitch and provide an alternative means of escape from the first floor.

The club said at the time that it wanted to create a much needed space to generate sustainable revenues to bring continued success on and off the field for Helston and the community.

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Now it is turning to the sporting side, with a bid to put up two extra floodlight poles to cover the training area and pitch, meaning practices can take place more easily all year round.

In the planning application, architects 3HW Architecture & Design Ltd, acting on behalf of the club, state: "The club runs training sessions for the local community every weeknight, with the proposed additional floodlights required to support these activities.

"It’s envisaged that the lights will be used 6pm to 9pm weekdays from September to April during the club's various training weeknight sessions."

It goes on to say that specialist designers have made careful consideration to limit any light pollution and reduce the impact of the lights on the surrounding homes when producing the designs and looking at pole location.

The proposed location of the floodlights, as purple dots Picture: 3HW Architecture/Cornwall Council

The proposal is to place the two extra floodlights in the corners at the far end of the rugby pitch, closest to the training. There are already four existing floodlights, at the other two corners and halfway down the pitch.

The architects add: "The provision of additional floodlighting to these areas will ensure that those participating can do so safely all year round. Access and use of the site will remain unchanged by these proposals.

"The design strives to limit the impact of the additional floodlighting on the neighbouring residential areas of Helston and light pollution generally."

The club said that the lights would help give extra training space for prolonged use through the winter, for both its youth and senior men's and ladies' teams.

The planning application is now submitted to Cornwall Council, with a neighbour consultation running until November 15 under application reference PA21/09794, before a decision is made.