Plans to refurbish tennis courts in Leavesden have been approved by councillors despite a petition.

Three Rivers District Council's planning committee gave the go ahead to install a muti-use games area and a 3G Artificial Turf Pitch with eight flood lights in Leavesden Country Park alongside redeveloping the tennis courts.

The approval came despite a petition, signed by 63 residents, against the application.

Tracey Turner, who led the petition, spoke against the application at the meeting last Thursday (November 19).

She raised concerns about the effect the flood lights will have on the wildlife and how the use of the area late in the evenings and weekends could lead to "unacceptable" noise levels and anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Martin Brooks, who also spoke at the meeting, said afterwards: "This is just the beginning of the over commercialization of this quiet urban open space that will adversely affect all users of the park for what appears to be the benefit of a few sports clubs.

"I am very concerned with the amount of time that these facilities will be available to the non-paying general public."