MEMBERS of a rugby club are celebrating being given the go-ahead to build floodlights on their pitch.

Waltham Forest councillors voted unanimously to allow six 15-metre high lights to be built at Woodford Rugby Club’s playing field in the High Road, Woodford Green, despite an officer’s recommendation to refuse the application because of the impact on neighbours and the environment.

The club’s youth chairman Charles Price, who was at the meeting to defend the club’s application, was delighted with the planning committee decision because it will allow the 350 youth members to train at the pitch on weekday evenings in the winter months.

He said: “We've been trying to operate in the most appalling circumstances for so long, so it's very good indeed that we will finally be getting our lights.

“The floodlights are going to be used only in the early evening and it will be of great benefit to the youngsters at the club and the community as a whole.

“There's one boy and he now plays for England under 20s, and we hope in 2012 there may be rugby sevens at the Olympics. But we can't actually produce these kids if we have terribly inadequate facilities.”

In a report, the officer highlighted the impact the light spillage could have on neighbours.

He also cited the impact on the natural environment after Natural England expressed concern about the effect of the lights on the bat population. But Natural England withdrew itsr objection before the meeting because the lights would be used from September to March when most bats are not active.

Councillors agreed that the health and safety of the 350 young players outweighed the concerns of the six households who lodged objections.

Cllr Alan Siggers said: “We are always going on about how we need to do more for youths to stop them standing on street corners. Every day we open the papers and there is some new horror about what’s happening to young people. Anything that brings discipline like rugby does, we should support.”

Porfolio holder for culture and sport Cllr Geraldine Reardon added: “One of our ambitions leading up to 2012 is to support clubs who are trying to build capacity as this club is doing. This club needs to develop facilities in this fast-growing sport. There are some residents who are in favour because they see the over-riding value of what the club contributes.”

The application was accepted on condition that the lights will be used only on four evenings a week, not weekends, and will be switched off at 9pm prompt. The club is also obliged to fit cowls and shields to minimize light spillage.

The club said the £23,000 lights, which are being funded by Government and Rugby Union grants, should be up and running by the end of the year.