A PHYSICIST has hit out at the amount of light pollution likely to be caused by the planned £750m port at Dibden Bay.

Tony Price said powerful floodlights at the six-berth terminal between Hythe and Marchwood would double the amount of artificial lighting in the area.

Mr Price, a member of the Institution of Lighting Engineers, was speaking at the public inquiry into the proposed port.

He was giving evidence on behalf of New Forest District Council, one of the objectors to the plans submitted by Associated British Ports (ABP).

Mr Price outlined the impact the lights would have on a largely rural area.

He said: "ABP give the impression that the proposed facility is in a well-lit area when it is actually within a predominantly dark landscape, with most of the lit areas situated on the other side of Southampton Water.

"The New Forest core and valleys are almost completely devoid of lighting.

"Dibden is substantially unlit at present and the River Test and Southampton Water is completely unlit apart from the transitory lights of vessels.

"The terminal site itself is completely dark at night."

Mr Price said light pollution from existing installations would diminish as old equipment was replaced, whereas the amount of light produced by the Dibden Bay scheme would remain the same "for some time".