Angry Westcliff residents have vowed to fight a school's appeal to put floodlights on a sports pitch for night matches.
The pitch in the grounds of St Thomas More School, in Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, has caused controversy among residents.
They claimed plans for floodlights on 13-metre tall poles would cause light pollution, and extending playing hours until 9pm would disturb their sleep.
Southend Council has refused permission for the floodlights to be installed but the school has appealed against the decision to the planning inspectorate.
Leslie Francis, of Winsford Gardens, said the pitch was only 30 yards from his home. He said: "The pitch causes a lot of noise as it is.
"It is not so bad, however, when school pupils use it as they are all supervised, but when it is rented out to adults and teenagers the foul and abusive language is unbearable."
More than 200 residents have signed up to fight the plans and the Winsford Area Action Group (WAAG) has begun preparing its response to the school's appeal.
Frank Keenan, headteacher at St Thomas More, said the school badly needed the floodlights for its sports programme.
He said: "The draconian decision of the council to refuse our plans has been disastrous for school sports."
Published Tuesday January 6, 2004
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