New floodlights at Sheffield United’s Derek Dooley Community Centre approved despite objections

The community centre, on Weston View, Crookes, which consists of a single-story building with artificial grass pitches, closed in November 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Plans for 12 8m LED floodlights were approved by councillors at a meeting on November 12.

The site, formerly known as Gym Plus, is owned by Sheffield United Community Foundation.

The plans bring the community centre back to use relied on the site being useable in the evenings in all months of the year.

The original planning application said the floodlights would be on until 10pm but this was altered to 9.15pm Monday to Friday and 7.15pm on weekends.

The pitches will be let out to local grassroots teams, youth teams and schools in the community.

Sheffield City Council received 15 letters in objection to the scheme and four letters of support.

The reasons for the objections included light pollution, increased noise and traffic, wildlife impact and highway safety issues.

Supporters said LED lighting is energy efficient and it would bring environmental and community benefits such as increased security.

Councillor Tony Downing said: “There is so much need for grassroots football and sports facilities and Sheffield being a city of sport as well. To bring this back into use is a fantastic idea. It is a great facility and I will be supporting it.”

Councillor Barbara Masters said: “There is a huge need for these facilities and having them on the doorstep reduces the need for travel across the city and that’s got to be good for the environment.”

Joint chair councillor Mike Chaplin said: “It will offer so much to the local community. These pitches are in short supply and in recent years we have seen a greater take up of football particularly among women and girls. To have this facility which will be on the doorstep for

many people is only to be commended.”

The committee unanimously agreed that permission for the new floodlights at the community centre should be granted.