Concerns have been raised about the loss of green space across Borehamwood after a planning application for two floodlit AstroTurf football pitches was submitted.

The application was submitted by Boreham Wood Football Club on April 12 and requests approval to build two new pitches on the Meadow Park land.

However, many residents and local councillors have expressed their concerns that the planning application will destroy the green space across Borehamwood.

Bruno Salmi, 49, of Hertford Road, said the proposals would take away valuable green space from the community: “It is taking the green space away from the community.

He said: “The government keeps saying we need to have green space for health reasons and they even recommend people go out in the parks.

“The application will take up more of Borehamwood’s public spaces.

"They will be cutting down the trees to make room for this development.

“If they were to get planning consent from the council, events like the fireworks at bonfire night would be cancelled and the families day would be also compromised.

“The park would be much smaller and the environment would suffer. A lot of football fans want the development to go through but it will ruin the space we have.”

The football club created the PASE scheme where they educate and teach more than 500 people on the scheme of which 100 of them are from Hertsmere and is the largest in the UK.

But, according to Cowley Hill ward Cllr Michelle Vince, they currently only have portable buildings cabins.

Cllr Vince believes the football club is being forced to get rid of the buildings porta cabins and now they have been told that they buildings have to be made of brick.

She said: “It will cost the football club a fortune to do that.

“It will be a real shame if the green space goes. Once it is gone it is gone for good.

“A lot of neighbours are concerned about the light and noise pollution the new pitches will create but the football club are being forced by Hertsmere Borough Council.

“In Borehamwood we have buildings being built on every available sport and we just do not have the infrastructure to cope with it.

“Cowley Hill ward is a deprived area and many houses do not have gardens but we are getting rid of all the green spaces.

"It will be a real shame and really sad because someone here is going to win and someone is going to lose.”

Anyone wishing to comment on the planning application will have to register on the Hertsmere Planning Portal by June 8.

The application will be discussed at the planning meeting on June 23 at 6pm.

The Times Series spoke to Boreham Wood FC who did not give a statement in time for print.