Plans for a new sports centre were well received at a three-day public exhibition.

The display, held in the civic offices, showed plans from financial services company Legal & General for a “centre of sporting excellence” in Borehamwood.

The site, which lies to the east of Rowley Lane and to the west of the A1, will house an array of sporting facilities including a full-size indoor pitch, medical facilities and a sports hall.

Hertsmere Borough Council has identified the southern part of the site for employment and community use, and will include community pitches with floodlighting and changing rooms.

The northern part of the site lies on green belt land and in order to retain the natural feel, the proposals use this area for grass sports pitches.

A 300-bedroom four-star hotel, along with a 150-bed hostel for youth teams and schools, also feature as part of the current outline application.Borehamwood Times:

Brothers Phil and Nick Cundy, of Cygnet Close and Oberon Close respectively, attended the last day of the exhibition yesterday to find out about the development.

Phil said he believed that the plans were “favourable” and added: “I came along after seeing it advertised and hearing rumours about a 20,000 seat stadium, but I don’t think I really have any particular concerns after seeing it today.”

Nick added: “It would be nice to make sure that the facilities can be kept open to the community when they’re not in use. And I’m while not in favour of green belt land being used for developments, this is probably a better use for it than some others.”

The pair decided to view the exhibition because of worries a large stadium, which they initially believed was proposed for the land, would have a negative impact on roads and traffic.

Motorists can access to the site at three points, with the primary access point being found at the centre of the site close to where Rowley Lane meets Elstree Way and two secondary access points being located at the top and bottom of the development.

Councillor Richard Butler, who serves the area surrounding the proposed development, has concerns that traffic in the area will be affected by the proposals.

He said: “Any vehicles coming to the centre will come up to the roundabout at Studio Way and realise they have to turn around again. It is already in a bad state there, and we have speeding issues there as it is.

“But I’m not against it as a whole as it means jobs for our community, which will be good, and it doesn’t eat up too much of the green belt. However we may have to consider an agreement that this will not change in the future.”

Around 100 people visited the exhibition over the three days, with staff saying that plans were being well received.

An outline planning application will be submitted later this year, with a detailed application expected by Autumn next year.

For more information or to submit feedback on the plans, contact the team on 020 7025 2309 or at edward.grieve@lexcomm.co.uk