The construction of the sports pitch caused controversy when planning permission was granted for the floodlights in 2008, as neighbours were concerned about light pollution and noise problems.

People living adjacent to the pitch along The Causeway witnessed the first illumination last Tuesday evening.

TPS head teacher Nigel Poole said: "The floodlights were turned on last night (Tuesday) for the first time. Neighbours were pleasantly surprised how uninvasive the lights were.
"That is very encouraging."

Resident Stewart Madden, of The Causeway, agreed. He said: "It was no where near as bright as we thought it would be."

However, Albert Mitchell, of The Causeway, who was strongly opposed to the construction of the new facilities, said: "It's awful, it looks like a prison from my house.
"How would somebody like it if I parked my car in their drive and shone my headlights through their windows while me and a load of mates had a noisy game of football?"

His wife, Joyce, added: "Who is going to pay for our blackout curtains?"

The grand opening of the new sports facilities at The Petersfield School has been delayed because of the severe weather earlier this month.

The works were said to be on schedule before heavy snow and ice caused havoc in Petersfield.

The original date of the grand opening, scheduled for the end of January, looks set to be put back for up to two weeks.

Construction on the £1m project has been in two phases.

Phase one will see the completion of a refurbishment of the sports hall and the new floodlit all-weather sports pitch, to be used by pupils and hired by local sports groups.

The schedule for phase two, which entails the construction of FA-standard changing facilities, is less certain.

The school had been hoping for funding to assist with financing the changing rooms, so it can host FA sanctioned football leagues and provide a training base for professional sports bodies.

Mr Poole said: "We were hoping for some financial assistance from the Football Foundation but they turned us down, saying we already had enough money of our own.

"It's a shame, as we were hoping to lend our facilities to a local club that is not amateur."

It is hoped that financing for phase two can be secured and the FA-standard changing facilities will be up and running in time for the start of the new football season in August.

Phase two includes plans to build cricket nets and wickets in time for the summer. Students and residents will be able to use the all-weather pitch after its handover next month.

Mr Poole added: "Once the pitch is handed over we can get our kids straight on it, which is extremely exciting."