Surrey see the light

Surrey have been granted planning permission by Lambeth Council to install permanent floodlights at the Brit Oval, subject to conditions and a legal agreement.

The plans will see four new permanent floodlight masts erected, with a fifth planned if permission is granted by the Secretary of State for the proposed redevelopment of the Lock and Laker stands.

The new lights have been developed uniquely for the Oval, combining the latest technologies to ensure that the light will remain focused in the ground and not the neighbouring area.

The lights will replace the temporary solution of previous years that had seen masts brought in on a game-by-game basis. These were noisy, environmentally unfriendly and did not prevent light from shining into neighbouring streets.

As part of the application, Surrey have committed to producing a new management plan to ensure that the associated impact of any night games is minimised for local residents.

The permanent floodlights at the Brit Oval will replace the temporary ones Surrey have previously hired

The plan includes arrangements to implement new cleaning methods to reduce noise, new dispersal routes from the ground, and additional police to move spectators out of the area quickly after games.

Surrey chief executive Paul Sheldon said: “These floodlights will help to ensure that the Brit Oval and the Borough of Lambeth can continue to lead the way in delivering the highest standards for hosting international and domestic cricket.

“Next year will be a hugely important one for the Brit Oval, with both the Ashes and the ICC World Twenty20 to look forward to.

“We have and will continue to work very hard on minimising any impact of our new floodlights on local residents and we have taken a completely unique approach to the design to ensure this is the case.

“We are conscious of our role in the community and our proposed management plan will make a huge contribution to reducing the impact to local residents of matches at the Brit Oval.”