A LIGHTING expert has rejected claims that the planned £750m port at Dibden Bay will have a disastrous impact on the area at night.

Nigel Pollard said floodlighting at the six-berth terminal between Hythe and Marchwood would have only a "minimal" effect on the neighbouring New Forest.

Mr Pollard stressed that Dibden Bay itself was already affected at night by the lights of Southampton, Hythe and Totton.

He was giving evidence at the public inquiry into plans by Associated British Ports (ABP) to redevelop reclaimed coastline north of Hythe Marina.

Cross-examined by opponents of the scheme, he dismissed suggestions that the port's powerful lighting would have a "massive" impact on the area.

Mr Pollard, an independent lighting consultant, is a Fellow of the Institution of Lighting Engineers and a member of the Society of Light and Lighting.

In 1997 he was appointed to design a lighting scheme for the Dibden Bay terminal and carry out an assessment of its likely impact.

Critics of the proposed port have cited a long list of environmental concerns, including the possibility of light pollution.

Mr Pollard denies that ABP has played down the potential impact of the floodlights.

He told the inquiry: "The lighting installation will be of considerable size. However it is strongly disputed that its impact has been under-estimated.

"Little if any light will trespass out of the site boundaries. While the land itself is situated in a predominantly unlit area it is not a dark landscape."

Proceeding.