New bid for lights

IF a plan to put up floodlights at a football ground is turned down then the club might as well pack up and go home, says its general manager.

A row has broken out over an application by Wealden Football Club to install six floodlighting poles at the Eastbourne Road, Uckfield, ground.

A former proposal for four lights was thrown out at a planning meeting in October last year when Framfield district councillor Jack Gore said: 'Light pollution in that area would affect not just neighbours but a much bigger area.'

But general manager Allan Lofthouse told the Express the Club has now brought in experts who have been working with the council to come up with a scheme which causes minimal light spillage.

He explained the club provides facilities for four senior Saturday sides, six junior sides from the age of eight upwards and two girls' teams.

He went on: 'We'll never be promoted to Division Two with no lights '“ that would be the finish.'

Local people are campaigning to ensure the proposal is wiped off the drawing board.