Hundreds signed a petition urging their council to block plans for a new floodlit sports pitch and cricket nets at a secondary school.

More than 500 people living close to Claremont High School wrote to Brent Council outlining their concerns relating to the proposed development.

They argue it will have a detrimental impact on their quality of life due to increased noise and light pollution and a problematic increase in parking at the site, in Claremont Avenue, Kenton.

Sue Wood, who put forward the petition, said the new facilities would have a “serious damaging effect on the neighbourhood and the environment”.

She said any overspill from the additional floodlights – there are already six in use – could lead to sleep deprivation and cause issues of light sensitivity for neighbouring residents.

Campaigners are also concerned about the additional disruption brought on by use of the sports pitches by the wider community, with the school set to hire them out outside teaching hours.

This includes parking issues – Ms Wood said there is already a “huge” problem with parking in surrounding streets and suggested they would not be able to cope with additional pressures.

She has also been critical of the process of the application, including a lack of public access to documents that meant it had to be deferred from being brought to the planning committee last month.

A spokeswoman for Brent Council explained this was an “oversight” at its end and that it has been amended so members of the public can view all aspects of the application and make comments on it.

Claremont High School released a statement in response to residents’ concerns, noting that the proposals were motivated by the unsuitability of its grass pitches for year-round use.

It pointed out it would need to abide by conditions imposed by the council around lighting, noise, and times of use, which could not exceed 9pm.

It added there should be more than adequate parking provision, dismissing the idea that games of up to 22 players would attract “crowds” since it is “a school, not Wembley Stadium”.

The statement concluded: “We would like to assure our community that the project absolutely is in the interests of pupils as the currently available areas are not adequate in wet weather and that the scheme would be in the interest of the community too, as many of your friends, relatives, neighbours – not to mention your children – will benefit from the improved facility for years to come.”