Members of Roe Green Village Residents Association fear their unique part of the borough will be spoiled

Angry Kingsbury residents have hit out at a school’s plan to build several new football pitches amid fears they will spoil a leafy conservation area which backs onto their homes.

Kingsbury High School, in Princes Avenue, Kingsbury, are planning to build a series of five-a-side football pitches and a late night bar in their playing fields.

The school has already put plans in place to lease out the playing fields to Goals Soccer Centre.

However, the news has angered residents from Roe Green Village, a small village haven situated around the school’s grounds.

Members of Roe Green Village Residents Association, (RGVRA) fear the light from floodlights and an increase in traffic will spoil the unique conservation area, which is home to a number of wild animals.

Debbie Nyman, a member of RGVRA described the development plans as ‘horrendous’.

She said: “It is completely out of character with the area and could spell disaster for us.

“The glare from the floodlights and the increase in noise late at night will be horrendous.

“There is no shortage of football pitches in the area so it seems a completely needless development.”

Roe Green Village was declared a conservation area by Brent Council in 1968 and is home to a number of wild animals including owls and bats.

In protest at the plans, which will include eight football pitches and several tall floodlights as well a bar, the group have set up a petition.

Simon Braidman, a local wildlife expert, expressed fears that the noise and light pollution “would upset a unique habitat for wildlife”.

He said: “Our residents are extremely worried about the impact and whether this development will bring any benefits to our village life and the community as a whole.

“Residents feel that this commercial development is the ‘wrong facility in the wrong location’.”

A spokesman for Kingsbury High School said: “The school’s aim throughout has been to significantly enhance our sporting facilities, at the same time every account has been taken to ensure that those who live close to the school are not inconvenienced acoustic barriers will reduce noise and modern floodlighting will minimise light spillage.”