College receives planning permission for new ATP
Posted on Thursday 18 June 2009
Rushmoor Borough Council Development Control Committee yesterday gave permission for a new artificia
College sporting facilities receive another boost
The permission to install a new state-of-the-art artificial turf pitch with floodlights gave a further boost to the sporting success of Farnborough Sixth Form College. Only two years after building the splendid Dame Kelly Holmes Sports Centre, it is hoped to complete the new astroturf within six months.
The College required lighting engineers to use the very latest floodlight technology to minimise light spillage beyond the boundary fence and also to reduce the height of the floodlights. Principal Dr John Guy said, "We knew of the concerns of residents at the installation of floodlights and we required the engineers to use lighting specifications far stricter than those required by planning law."
As a consequence, light spillage beyond the boundary fence is never more than the intensity of moonlight and the College hopes that neighbours will not be affected by the use of the ATP. In addition, the reduction in height of the floodlights was welcomed by residents at the two consultation meetings held by the College.
Although the facility is primarily for College use, the ATP will be available for community groups and teams to use outside normal college hours, but within conditions attached to the permission. It will be made available for use by Team GB, who will be based in Aldershot, during the preparations for the London 2012 Olympics.
The College is committed to providing the best facilities in the country for sixth form education and the new ATP marks another significant step along the line of this continuing aim.
