Campaigners fighting to stop a huge sports centre from being built on their doorsteps say it is a “sickening" use of greenbelt land.

The 'centre of sporting excellence', comprising a hotel, a hostel, a research laboratory and sports facilities in Rowley Lane, Borehamwood, will be decided by Hertsmere Borough Council later this year.

News of the proposed centre has angered people living nearby, who say it will “wreak havoc” on what is currently quiet greenbelt land.

Rachel James, who lives in Gateshead Road, Borehamwood, said: “It’s going to ruin the character of the area.

“It will become a complete concrete jungle. It’s like London is encroaching on our lovely, quiet part of Hertfordshire.

“I moved out of London because I liked the peace of the area but now that is being destroyed. People live here because they like the countryside but now they will be forced out.”

The 47-year-old keeps a horse, Harvey, on the land, and they would be kicked off if it was to be developed, and it is a popular site amongst dog walkers.

Together with others, she has formed ‘People Against the Centre of Sporting Excellence’, known as PACE.

People living in Well End Road say floodlights from the pitches will shine through their windows and that the increased traffic would be “unbearable”.

Coaches will also need to travel to and from the site, even though the road has a width restriction.

Ben Simon, of Well End Road, said: “At the moment, our houses shake whenever anyone drives past at speed so this is going to aggravate that.

“With more people using the road it’s just going to put a ridiculous strain on traffic. The road is tiny, there’s not enough space for two cars to pass at the same time and it’s got a 30mph zone.

“I enjoy looking out of the window with my telescope, but this going to put a complete downer on that.

“I also worry that people using the sport pitches will swear, shout and generally make a lot of noise. It’s going to cause pure chaos.”

The space was originally earmarked for a 20,000 seat stadium, although these seem to have been dropped before plans were finalised.

But as well as a ten-storey hotel, the new plans include physiotherapy rooms, nutrition rooms, seminar rooms and a treatment area, none of which will be open to the public, and a car park with 850 spaces.

A tiny speck at the bottom of the plans mark the spot where a community sports building, including a parents' lounge, a changing room and pitches will be built.

However this area, opposite the A1, currently sits on a flood plain sparking fears this is not a viable location to have it.

Bob Atkinson, who lives in Kent Close, said: “It’s a wholly private plan dressed up as a community centre. We don’t want something here if we can’t get any use out of it.

“The area where that’s going to be is a complete swamp when it rains, so what if they turn round at the end of building and say it’s not something they are physically able to carry out?”

Nick Baker, Legal & General property manager, said: "Our plans represent a £150million investment that will bring sporting facilities for elite athletes, grass roots teams and the wider community to Borehamwood.

"Borehamwood has, through Elstree Studios, led the way for the nation’s film industry. Our proposals for a Centre of Sporting Excellence will place Borehamwood at the forefront of our nation’s sporting community."