South Oxhey residents are concerned about the damage that may be caused by a new football pitch, which has been built behind their houses.

Houses in Fulford Grove directly overlook the pitch built about 15 metres from their back fence on Oxhey Playing Fields.

One of the residents, Mrs Sheehy, said: “There is plenty of other room I don’t see why it needs to be so close to our gardens.”

She added: “Who will pay for the damage if one of the balls causes damage to our property?”

Residents opposed plans to build a rugby pitch on the site in 2009 with the concern that high flying rugby balls may have caused damage to their property.

After plans to build a rugby pitch were abandoned Three Rivers District Council sent a letter to residents informing them that a football pitch could be built on the site in the future as the risk of footballs causing damage was lower.

In July residents’ fears were confirmed when they received another letter informing them that the plans to build the football pitch were going ahead.

Although they received letters telling them about the new pitch, one of the residents was hoping for more communication from the council.

Miss Burr, who has lived on the road for 22 years, hoped that the council would invite the residents to share their views and opinions before the pitch was built.

She said: “They said if they did anything again they would consult us first.”

Councillor Keith Williams, the cabinet member for leisure and community said: “We are committed to supporting healthy activity for young people.

“The playing field has been there fore many decades for football and other recreation.

“This pitch is especially for U14s to play on Sundays.”

As the pitch is to be used by young players, the council believes that the risk of damage to property is low.