Southfield Park Floodlight Plan Sparks Wildlife Concerns

Light pollution from upgraded basketball court feared

Most residents agree the basketball court needs an upgrade

August 31, 2025

Plans to refurbish a disused basketball court in Southfield Park, have drawn criticism from local residents and conservation advocates. They are warning that the proposed installation of year-round floodlighting could pose a serious threat to the park’s wildlife habitat.

The application (252815FUL), submitted by the London Borough of Ealing seeks to convert the worn court into a Football Foundation PlayZone with upgraded fencing, gates, sporting equipment, and floodlights operating until 10pm every day of the year. While many residents support the idea of revitalising the neglected space, the inclusion of floodlighting has become a flashpoint for concern.

Nick Mander, a local resident whose home backs onto the park, has written to the London Wildlife Trust urging intervention. In his correspondence, Mr Mander acknowledges the need for refurbishment but argues that the floodlights would “cause significant damage to the wildlife of the park, particularly the wooded copse surrounding the site which is a haven for wildlife and some endangered species.”

The woodland in question was planted in the 1980s and has since become a habitat for a range of species, including owls, woodpeckers, long-tailed tits, and bats. Of particular concern is the population of stag beetles—a protected species in decline—which has been carefully nurtured by Ealing’s Ranger Service over the past two decades. In 1999 and again in 2005, rangers discovered hundreds of stag beetle larvae in the woodchip path laid through the copse, prompting habitat enhancements that continue to this day.

Opponents believe that habitat enhancements to encourage biodiversity may be undermined.

Residents fear that the introduction of artificial lighting could disrupt nocturnal species, interfere with breeding cycles, and degrade the ecological integrity of the area. “The tennis courts next to the proposed pitch do not have floodlighting,” Mr Mander noted, “so there is no reason why the new pitch should.” He also questioned whether the council’s apparent partnership with a commercial football operator had influenced the decision, suggesting that ecological considerations may have been sidelined.

According to guidance from the Institution of Lighting Professionals and the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, floodlight design must minimise light spill, avoid disruption to local ecology, and adhere to curfew conditions where appropriate.

Many residents only became aware of the application days before the submission deadline, leaving little time for formal objections. There have so far been 15 comments on the proposal, 13 of which are opposed. Several neighbours have since lodged concerns, citing the impact on biodiversity and the lack of community consultation.

The PlayZone aims to improve access to high-quality sports facilities, particularly for priority groups identified by the Football Foundation—such as women and girls, disabled people, ethnically diverse communities, and those from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The facility is intended to support physical activity during winter months and provide opportunities for coaching and recreation.

The system comprises four 8m-high fence-mounted luminaires. The lighting design meets Football Foundation standards for average lux and uniformity, and the fencing is coloured moss green to minimise visual impact. A document submitted with the application states that it would have minimal impact on neighbouring residents or local biodiversity.