New floodlights

[Josh2002]

I have heard third hand that the current floodlights are being replaced, with new ones being installed next week. Can anyone shed any further light (no pun intended) onto this?

[Shepperton Supporter]

It was mentioned during the time the brothers took over. It might have been revived again.
Assume it is just changing the bulbs for LED?
As you say we await further illumination on this!

[geedub]

I'm certain it was being talked about well before the brothers' arrival and the Trust was trying to raise funds for it.
I also very much doubt it is a simple as screwing in some LED bulbs unfortunately. I think before it wasn't clear how many new ones we might end up with - I think we have 8 now so maybe with new LED technology we dont need so many or maybe they won't be the same height.

Anyway, if it's true, good to hear that long standing project is now underway (within weeks of the brothers' departure...).

[Tony]

I am pretty sure it will be the original full replacement plan. I hear the new owners want to press on with some further infrastructure improvement. Don’t know if we are going to utilise the previously agreed grant.

[Shepperton Supporter]

I think there was talk of changing the height of pylon , whether we still need four per side is up to the experts. No doubt we will get some official information if the work is imminent.

[Tony]

From memory, and I don't think this has changed, we were looking at four pylons, one in each corner. Modern lights with less light pollution, lower cost to run, higher lux values, better pitch coverage etc. The funding was in place before the takeover, grant plus Supporters Trust contribution. It is quite possible that the cost has risen since 2022. The original plan did not go ahead awaiting some technical/legal matters to be sorted but not sure whether that was resolved or the whole plan just got lost in the financial retrenchment at the end of the 23-24 season. Because of access issues the work can only be done realistically in the close season and needs to happen before any pitch work is undertaken for obvious reasons. So it would make complete sense to start the work immediately to leave enough time for pitch renovation.

[EastTerracer]

The planning application 22/0030/FUL was approved for 8 x 15m masts. Each mast having three clusters of lights. The timing of work may be driven by the expiry of the planning permission which is Nov 2025.

[Shepperton Supporter]

Looks like there are two possible configurations as to the lights. It might be that we will stick with the existing application. However the system that Tony suggests is better, more modern and would place less restrictions on future development.
Let’s wait and see!

[Les1949]

Never happened due to the dynamic duo deciding that they wanted to tie the pitch/floodlights all together with redeveloping the rest of the stadia (for which they did not have planning permission) - so didn't happen, apart from emergency lighting updated. The current pylons are very old and need replacing. The plan was for lower pylons, with the facility to be lowered to enable cleaning/replacement of LED bulbs. Any work on the current floodlghts needs to be carried out using a 'cherry-picker' brought onto the pitch. Light would be concentrated down onto the pitch and with less light pollution. There was one delay, prior to the brothers..the Council insisted on a survey to check if the new lights would affect.....bats.

[EastTerracer]

Perhaps the charlatans were concerned the proposed lighting would not have been sufficient for Champions League

[BeaverWatcher]

There is only one option for the floodlights, that is the one that was approved by Richmond Council. So it will be the 8 masts.

Link to application : https://planning.richmond.gov.uk/richmo ... ails/33758

[Tony]

I stand corrected, 8 lights it is.