RESIDENTS are objecting to moves to install floodlighting at Sandford Middle School near Wareham - fearing light pollution will ruin their quality of life.

Planning permission was given for eight 10-metre high floodlights around the school hardcourt play area on the condition there would be adequate screening with trees and hedges.

The scheme aims to make the school a community sports and recreation facility.

But plans for evergreen screening have had to be scaled back because of field drains.

County councillors are due to agree on a revised landscaping scheme this Friday, February 6.

It includes allowing an existing hedge to grow to a height of 2.75 metres - but residents point out the griselinia hedge has taken 10 years to grow to a height of 1.2 metres.

Parish clerk Debbie Weller said: "The parish council voted against the floodlighting scheme because of the impact on neighbours and the road.

"If there is to be no landscaping that is abominable - it is disregarding the effects to residents."

She also said: "If this had been behind the school, the residents would have supported it."

She also said: "Planning permission was granted on the basis of landscaping - and they knew the drains were there when the application for floodlighting was made.

"They are now talking about floodlighting up until nine and 10pm - it just is not on."