NEGOTIATIONS to dim lights at a Wimborne school that could be “seen from outer space” are under way.

The Daily Echo reported that the lights at eco-friendly QE School in Blandford Road were left on throughout the night earlier this year, and since then, meetings between councillors and concerned residents have been held.

Annie Raven-Vause, who also condemned the bright lighting at the QE leisure centre on the same site, said the problem turned a quiet corner of Wimborne “into Blackpool”.

County councillor Robin Cook, who represents Wimborne, said he “greatly sympathises” with the school’s neighbours.

“We have held a meeting which was really quite productive,” Cllr Cook said.

“It was held in the evening, which worked out well as I was able to visit and see the problems first-hand myself. I greatly sympathise with the residents.”

The meeting involved representatives of Dorset County Council, who in 2011 completed and opened the newly-rebuilt school at a cost of £56.2million, and Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership leisure and open spaces department, responsible for the leisure centre.

The county council will now hold an independent appraisal of the issue.

Cllr Cook said: “That does not guarantee anybody anything, but it is a positive step.

“With regard to the school itself, we heard that lights were on at all sorts of odd times, including Christmas Day and during the school holidays.”

The councillor is also a governor of QE School, and raised the issue at a recent meeting.

“The problem is to do with the lighting installation and I shall go back to the county council officers with information on this,” he said.

Lesley Tindle, whose home is next to the site, said the glow of the lights could be seen from Sturminster Marshall, “as well as from outer space”.

“The light pollution is evident and a major concern,” she said.

“This is without mentioning the cost, when bizarrely Dorset County Council are turning lights off in other areas to save money.”