Lights just not up to standard

Modern street lamps erected in a Southwell conservation area have been described as “monstrosities” by a town councillor.

Nottinghamshire County Council is working on a lighting scheme along the A612 on Nottingham Road, Westgate, Church Street and Easthorpe.

Some lamps have been replaced and repositioned.

Southwell town councillor Mr Andrew Gregory said the town council was not consulted about the style and positioning of the lamps before work started.

“If the county council had talked to us we could have avoided any problems,” he said.

“We are trying to do the best thing for the town and these 21st Century lamp-posts are big, tall things that are very obtrusive and obvious.”

Mr Gregory said the town council wanted the lamps to be in keeping with the area and to make sure they were positioned correctly so they did not obstruct the views of historical buildings on Church Street.

He said the lamp-posts should be painted black and have more appropriate light fittings.

“We have also asked that they consider some heritage-style lanterns instead of installing 21st Century monstrosities in the middle of a conservation area,” he said.

Mr Gregory said members of the public were concerned about the positioning of some of the lamps, in particular one that was to have gone up outside the entrance to Cranfield House on Church Street.

“To put one outside Cranfield House would have destroyed the whole ambience of that part of the conservation area,” he said.

Mr Gregory said he was told the scheme was on hold to allow talks about the positioning and style of the lamp-posts.

Fellow town councillor Mr Brendan Haigh said: “There are the listed buildings and the minster in Church Street and more listed buildings on Easthorpe so the design of the lamps should be more sensitive to the conservation area.

“I would like the lamps to be painted black rather than have these stark aluminium lamp-posts with fittings that could be on any arterial road and are totally out of keeping with the conservation area.”

A county council spokesman said the new lamp posts replaced the originals installed in around 1973 that had been found to be dangerous.

“The new design criteria does mean that some of the lamp posts are in a slightly different place to the originals,” said the spokesman.

“The lamp posts will be painted black as soon as the weather permits.

“Subject to available funding we are considering replacing some of the lamps opposite the Minster with Victorian-style lighting and there are also plans to refurbish some of the smaller lamp posts in the area, again with Victorian-style lamps.

“All the new lamp posts have been installed with white light rather than the old orange style.

“White light enhances areas and also improves lighting from a security point of view which will be of benefit to local residents.

“The county council is currently in discussion with the town council and local conservation officers to finalise the details of the proposals.”