A Perth sports club has won permission to keep its floodlit all-weather pitch open an hour later each night, despite objections from residents.
Some people living near the city’s Seven Acres Park complained that glare from the floodlights was hampering their home life. They argued that allowing the site to remain open until 10pm, instead of 9pm, would exacerbate antisocial behaviour problems and late-night noise.
Councillors unanimously approved the time extension, after hearing it was crucial for the growth of Letham Community Sports Club.
Club secretary John Kidd told members of the development management committee: “The club has been operating under the floodlights for about a year now.
“In that time, our core operational time of 6 to 9pm, Monday to Friday, has reached full capacity.
“We have increased the amount of teams and all of them require training time during the week.
“We also have a partnership with Perthshire Rugby Club and they are looking to expand their training programme. Obviously, that requires more time and that’s time which we currently don’t have.”
Mr Kidd added: “We have had discussions with neighbours who were initially concerned about noise and light problems. Some of them now spend a lot of time on the pitch with their children and grandchildren and they believe it is a real asset to the community.”
The committee also heard from councillor Elspeth Maclaughlin, who spoke in support of the scheme. She said the pitch had received funding from sportscotland and proceeds of crime cash following court action because it is “slap bang in the middle of the largest area of multiple deprivation in Perth and Kinross”, and due to the sheer volume of youngsters who benefit.
“This is the largest kids’ football club on this side of Scotland, with more than 400 children using it,” she added.
“The Letham community believe their children are better off being outside, playing football, than indoors on video games.”
In one of six letters of objection, a local resident claimed: “This proposal to change the times of operation, if allowed, will be nothing short of a sentence of outright misery.”
Development management committee convener Tom Gray gave his backing to the scheme.
“I think the social benefits far outweigh the small amount of complaints we have received,” he said.