MANAGEMENT at a leading football club, which has its ground in the middle of a housing area, are proposing to reduce the number of floodlights.

Even though they have been in place for 24 years now, the lights at the Goldstar Ground in Dellwood Avenue, Felixstowe, are still not popular with many of those who live around the club’s perimeter.

When the lights – which have to be raised and lowered for every match and training session, and are now in a poor condition – were first put in place, there was a huge outcry and a battle over planning permission.

Five years ago when the club sought consent to leave them up out of season, the scheme was refused and rejected on appeal.

Now Felixstowe and Walton United is proposing to reduce the floodlighting stanchions to four instead of six, putting smaller but brighter and more accurately directional lights on each post.

A club spokesman said officials had met residents to show them the plans and answer questions and there was “a feeling of real hope and encouragement” following the consultation.

“It was an open evening and was well attended over the course of three hours by many of the immediate local residents, plus councillors, and many showed great interest in seeing the mechanical problems the club have, in person, with the worst affected stanchion light on and visible to view,” said the spokesman.

“Without doubt, the vast majority of those attending were hugely in favour of what the club planned, but there were objectors who felt the pylons were still obtrusive, even though they would be reduced from six to four, under the planned renovation.”

The floodlights are a vital part of the club, which has nearly 360 boys, girls and coaches involved in its junior section, and allow them to compete at their current senior level in the Thurlow Nunn League Premier Division.

The club would still like to hear any comments, for or against the proposed plan – people should write to The Secretary, Felixstowe & Walton United FC, The Goldstar Ground, Dellwood Avenue, Felixstowe IP11 9HT, or email webmaster@felixstowefootball.co.uk

Do you live nearby and have a view on the floodlights? Write to Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk