Campaigners are happy that a large sports ground in Bicester is likely to get new lights after concerns have been raised around poor visibility at night.

An application for perimeter lighting around the running track at Whitelands Farm Sports Ground, in Whitelands Way, has been recommended for approval.

There have been 28 letters of support for the application, all setting out that the lights would add to the usability and security of the outer pathway for recreational activity. Particularly in winter monts and for female users.

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Lisa Pinky Ward, who has been pushing for lighting around the sports ground for a couple of years, said: “It’s great to see that the Whitelands Farm Sports Ground lighting I have been campaigning for since 2021 is finally at the planning committee stage, with a recommendation for approval.

“I really appreciate those who added positive comments to the application, the people who signposted me to councillor Nick Cotter, and my thanks to Mr Cotter for meeting me at the site and helping push the issue.

“I have no doubt there were many others behind the scenes who also worked on this. Suffice to say, I’m excited to see the approval hopefully go through and to finally be able to run at Whitelands in the winter months.”

The lighting fit would be provided by Zeta, a specialist lighting company.

The units can be mounted on existing steel columns, and once installed, the PV orientation can be adjusted.

District councillor for Bicester South and Ambrosden Nick Cotter said: “I very much welcome the go-ahead for the lighting, and I really appreciate the tenacity of local householders who have rightly been very vocal on this issue.

“It really shows what people can achieve in bringing such matters to local councillors’ attention.”

The application did receive one letter of objection on the grounds that the proposals would lead to unnecessary light pollution in the area, and stated there are other places to walk.

The sports ground comprises 17 hectares, within the wider south west Bicester mixed use development.

The site is located at the southern edge of the Kingsmere development and is bounded by Vendee Drive to the west.

There are currently no street lights on Vendee Drive.

The existing floodlights are 15 metres high and additional floodlights have been approved for the rugby pitches which are also 15 metres in height.

The new application proposes to install 11 six-metre high lights on the perimeter pathway, which is used by joggers, walkers and for other recreational activities.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1