Fury as new £.16m sports facility brings '˜nightmare' noise and '˜aurora' floodlight

LOUD swearing, constant noise and dazzling floodlight.
Anthony Holly is annoyed at the noise and light from Front Lawn Recreation Ground. Picture: Duncan ShepherdAnthony Holly is annoyed at the noise and light from Front Lawn Recreation Ground. Picture: Duncan Shepherd
Anthony Holly is annoyed at the noise and light from Front Lawn Recreation Ground. Picture: Duncan Shepherd

These are the issues Leigh Park resident Anthony Holly claims have made his life a ‘nightmare’ since a £1.6m sports hub was relaunched last month.

While borough leaders have hailed the new-look Front Lawn Recreation Ground, Mr Holly says it has brought with it a barrage of nuisance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 73-year-old, of Billy Lawn Avenue, said: ‘It’s been a nightmare since it opened.

‘I live about 200 metres away, but even with double-glazing I can hear every word that comes from the pitch.

‘Some of it is quite unpleasant too – it’s F-this and F-that – and I get it most nights.’

Mr Holly’s plight comes after the ground was given a month-long renovation, partly-funded by a grant from the Premier League.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As well as travelling noise from the facility, he says its surrounding floodlights are ‘too much’.

He continued: ‘I honestly dread it when they come on at 4.30pm, they are so bright.

‘I could easily sit out there in the evening and read The News – it’s like an aurora. It really is too much.’

The Hampshire FA – which runs the site – says it has adjusted Front Lawn’s floodlights to remedy Mr Holly’s concerns.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Turning them to focus more on the pitch, the authority followed up with a visit to his property to assess the change – where it was mutually agreed the alteration had made a positive difference.

The body also introduced ‘Respect’ banners around Front Lawn, encouraging sociable use of the facility.

In a joint statement with Havant Borough Council, a spokesperson for the Hampshire FA said: ‘We hope to work together with the residents to ensure this facility meets the needs and requirements of everyone in the area and can be enjoyed by everyone equally.

‘We will take all comments on board and will set about implementing additional measures to ensure we can achieve this aim.’