Residents living near Cefn Saeson Comprehensive School in Cimla, Neath, are calling for the permanent removal of floodlights they describe as a "total nuisance" and "distressing", with one neighbour saying the lights illuminated surrounding streets like an "airport".
The lights were installed as part of the new school replacement development in 2021. Two of the lighting units closest to houses on nearby Greenwood Drive have reportedly been kept off since January 2024 while Neath Port Talbot Council conducts enquiries.
Report reveals different floodlights installed
Concerns have been heightened after a report from independent experts said the structures installed were different to those approved at the planning stage. The post installation review report, published in 2024 by lighting design consultants The Lighting Bee, was sent to local resident Tim Pearson after he made a freedom of information request to the council.
Tim, who has fought against the use of the lights since they were first installed, said they lit up neighbouring homes and gardens from just metres away. He said: "People were finding it distressing because you'd have children that couldn't sleep at the rear of the properties where their bedrooms were due to the amount of light pollution that was coming in. Even those that didn't have young children found it a total nuisance because it was completely illuminating their gardens."
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said the strength of the lights made the night time feel like day, and noted fears of them being switched back on again.
Environmental zone classification questioned
The Lighting Bee report said the whole site where the lights were installed should have been classified as an E2 environmental zone for assessment purposes, instead of being split between an E2 and a less stringent E3 zone. Under current lighting standards, an E2 zone represents low district brightness such as in sparsely inhabited rural areas, while an E3 zone represents medium brightness seen in well inhabited rural or urban settlements.
The report states: "Although the levels based on the planning proposals are met for an E3 Zone, when considering light intrusion they are not met for an E2 zone, which in our opinion this site should have been assessed against. This statement is also irrelevant as a completely different floodlight specification and design has been installed, for which a design and assessment has not been prepared."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has also seen an email in which a council officer said they thought the lighting levels in some properties were contributing to a statutory nuisance under environmental health legislation.
Council says lights will stay off during enquiries
While some residents acknowledged that the situation had improved since two of the lights had been turned off, they said they would still like to see them removed to avoid future issues. A spokesperson for Neath Port Talbot council said they were aware of the concerns, noting that the lighting columns would not be used while further enquiries were ongoing.
They said: "The impact of the floodlighting was considered as part of the planning application process and the development was assessed against the relevant planning requirements. The council is aware of concerns raised by residents and continues to engage with those concerns where appropriate. Whilst further enquiries are ongoing, the lighting columns will not be used."
