Flood lights which form part of plans to refurbish the health club in Leavesden Country Park will cause a level of damage which is "unacceptable".

On a recent inspection by a Three Rivers District Council landscape officer, major concerns were raised over the damage the proposed floodlights will have on trees in the park.

In the report, landscape officer Terence Flynn said he was unable to support the application and recommended refusal because ‘the existing trees represent an important public visual amenity in the area and should be protected’.

In November 2013, the health club and nursery secured a share of £10 million of National Lottery funding from Sport England's Inspired Facilities fund, and received £66,777 to go towards the refurbishment of the existing tennis courts into a Multi Use Games Area and two 3G football pitches.

Leavesden councillor Martin Brooks, who was also the first park ranger at Leavesden Country Park, shunned the plans when they were first proposed and residents living nearby said the redevelopment was not needed.

Linnet Road resident and secretary of Leavesden Country Park Group Tracy Turner raised a number of concerns over the plans - one of them involving the use of floodlights.

Responding to the plans when they were first proposed Ms Turner said: "The country park is just that - a country park, not a football ground.

"I do not want great big lights shining in my windows at night. If my neighbour should put their outdoor light on at night it wakes me up as I sleep out the back.

"I would be so angry if I had to contend with huge lights in the park."

The council planning team and YMCA Central Herts will be in discussion on how to move forward with the refurbishment proposals for the tennis courts and a revised plan will be submitted in the near future.

Stuart Sapsford, business development manager at YMCA central services, said: "The application was withdrawn due to the necessity to do further arboriculture studies and demonstrate how we will minimise impact on surrounding trees.

"This work has been commissioned and we will be submitting our updated planning application in the coming weeks."