PLANS to erect floodlights for a football pitch in the New Forest have been kicked out by planning officers after a divisive response from the community.

The application to place six floodlights on 15-metre high masts at Jubilee Fields in Sway were turned down by the New Forest National Park Authority.

Those in favour of the scheme, which included 15 responses to the authority, claimed the floodlights would only operate for limited periods and improve the existing sports facilities for future generations.

However, the case officer sided with those concerned about the scheme and refused the proposals.

The officer's report says: "No information accompanying this application has been submitted which demonstrates that the development would bring about any specific benefit to the sustainability of the local community.

"Furthermore the development would have an unacceptably harmful impact upon the intrinsic character of the site and also the wider New Forest landscape both in daylight hours and at night."