A school has applied for planning permission to build an artificial sports pitch with floodlights on an existing playing field.

Chesham Grammar School is hoping to build a sand-dressed artificial pitch for hockey, tennis, netball and football practice.

The pitch would also be available on a booking system for the community to use until 9pm.

The application has been submitted by Boddington Planning on behalf of the school with the developer having “considerable experience in sports development”.

The proposals include 15m columns for floodlighting and fencing around the pitch reaching heights of 4.5m.

Under the plans, no new parking spaces will be built with approximately 85 spaces already on the school’s grounds to be used for the pitch.

A planning statement reads: “From past experience floodlighting is generally one of the major issues in development proposals.

"People’s perception regarding floodlighting often relates to huge multi-light pylons found at each corner of a football stadium.

"However, the technology of floodlighting has progressed significantly in the past years to the stage where lighting is now capable of strict control and the throw of light is directed onto the surface along with a very low overspill into the surrounding areas.”

There have been a number of objections from local residents following the application being submitted to Buckinghamshire Council.

Michael Cooper wrote: “Our garden backs directly onto the playing fields.

“Whilst we appreciate the noise from pupils at Chesham Grammar during normal school hours is acceptable, the potential noise emanating from the new sports facility at evenings, weekends and probably all day during school holidays would be intolerable.”

Moray Hogg added: “We would have hoped that the plans for Chesham Grammar School AGP project recognises the issue and would have included provision for additional parking but this doesn’t seem to be the case.

“With a Sports Centre, AGP, Grass sports and other users of the school's facilities the 85 spaces will not be sufficient for peak time usage at evenings and weekends.

“There is already a parking problem so I fail to see how this can be considered to be sufficient for the needs of the proposal.”

Cllr Jane Macbean, of the ward Chiltern Ridges, has called for the application to be discussed by the planning committee prior to a final decision being made.

Buckinghamshire Council has a determination deadline of December 26 to decide on the plans submitted by the school.