A North Staffordshire football club is planning to replace its floodlights thanks to funding from the Football Foundation. 

Newcastle Town FC, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has submitted a planning application to replace five existing 15 metre columns and install one new column. 

The application says 70% towards the costs of replacement lighting could be provided by the Football Foundation.

The club currently uses five halide lighting columns and one set of lights attached to a telephone pole. 

The application states: "The proposal is to replace the five existing 15m columns with new 15m columns in the same positions and install one new column approximately five metres away from the existing telephone mast. 

"The existing lights that are on the telephone mast will be removed. 

"The existing halide floodlights are 30 years old." 

The Stadium, on Newcastle Road, has a capacity of 4,000, a clubhouse and the playing surface is surrounded by a cycling track which also hosts competition events. 

The club announced in January that it had also received a total of £80,000 of funding to spend on improvements to the playing surfaces at the club's Roe Lane training ground and stadium the teams play.

It is hoped the new plans will reduce light pollution and help the club save money due to their increased efficiency. 

The application added: "The replacement of the system is to improve the lighting levels and to have new accessible columns for maintenance. 

"Installation of the most up to date lighting will also benefit the cycling track and enable successful progression up the football pyramid in the future. 

"With a modern floodlight system that is more efficient and gives significantly less light pollution. 

"It has been accepted that the existing lights have come to their use of their economic life and the decision to replace them at this time is because funding of 70% towards the cost of replacements is available through the Football Foundation.

"The system will save the Club money on an ongoing basis as well as decreasing any light spill to the surrounding area." 

The application is subject to approval by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Read the full application here.

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