Scunthorpe bar bids to keep searchlight

THE Light Bar in Scunthorpe is asking permission to keep its signature searchlight switched on – but has been slammed by Friends of the Earth.

Nearly three years after it started beaming owners of the Light Bar, the Dukedom Group is asking for advertising consent, but go-green groups are not impressed.

The powerful spotlight can be seen many miles from the venue, as far as Gainsborough and the Humber Bridge.

It already has a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority

but Friends of the Earth has called the beam a 'gimmick' and questioned the 'unnecessary' use of energy.

The 780-capacity bar in Oswald Road switches on the 4,000 Watt spotlight Friday and Saturday nights from about 11pm until 2am.

The Light Bar opened in November 2005 after a £1-million conversion of a Congregational church with the spotlight on top.

Friends of the Earth regional spokeswoman Jan Clark said: "We would rather people had warm homes rather than using that amount of energy on a Friday and Saturday night."

Natural England said with the amount of ambient light in the area, the searchlight would be unlikely to cause confusion for wildlife while it is shining.

North Lincolnshire Council is expecting to make a decision around September 19, and is accepting comments on the application until tomorrow.

For the full story see today's Scunthorpe Telegraph.