NORTH Tawton Rugby Club has won planning approval to install floodlights on its pitch on the condition that it switches them off at 10pm and takes measures to minimise light pollution.
West Devon Borough Council's planning committee said this week the club should be supported because it was providing a worthwhile facility for young people.
The application received backing from North Tawton Town Council but three local residents objected to the proposal saying the glare from the lights would cause a nuisance to adjacent properties.
Speaking on behalf of the applicants Adrian Grimshaw said seven six-metre dismountable floodlights would be installed in such a way to give a wash of light over the training area but keep glare to a minimum.
'The reason for floodlights first and foremost is that a junior rugby side is being run and the club is duty bound to provide adequate lighting for the safety and supervision of children's activities,' he said.
Mr Grimshaw explained that four years ago when the facilities were built the rugby club was a small affair but it had grown to 150 members and could boast four teams.
As well as providing coaching and catering, the club also hosted a number of other local events such as judo, aerobics and WI.
'The rugby club is used throughout the year and is a very valuable local amenity,' he said.
Cllr Dilwyn Hughes said: 'These people are doing something worthwhile in getting youngsters off the streets — let's support them.'
But Cllr Noel Cartwright said he was concerned about all the light pollution in the countryside and asked for a condition that measures be taken to minimise light spill.
'It's bad enough with the cheese factory polluting the night sky — I would not want the rugby club to add to that,' he said.
The committee was told the proposed floodlighting would be approximately 120 metres from the nearest dwelling in Taw Vale Avenue.