NEIGHBOURS were left “defeated” after plans for a football pitch were approved.

People living near Cambridge Gardens and the A10, say the new pitches will be noisy, create light pollution and see more “precious” green space lost.

Enfield Council approved the plans earlier this week despite a long campaign by the Friends of Enfield Playing Fields.

England’s Football Association will pay three-quarters of the estimated £600,000 cost and the authority will borrow the remaining £150,000.

John Hall said at the meeting: “This isn’t NIMBYISM. The scheme is said to have health benefits. What about the risks?

“Are you aware of the concerns expressed in the press earlier this year and this past weekend about the carcinogenic materials used in the construction of these artificial pitches.

“What about the concerns of local residents? Light pollution and noise are obvious concerns.”

The plans include building a new ten foot high hill enclosed by a fence to lessen the sound for residents on nearby roads.

But the bund will reduce sound by two decibels so Mr Hall says they “may as well not bother”.

There is also concern about the way the toilets and changing rooms will be 200 metres across the car park.

Mr Hall added: “We are feeling a bit defeated, we’re not happy at all.”

Enfield Council spokeswoman Suzanne Linsey said: "The new 3G pitch will improve local community access to high quality football facilities.

"The issues of noise and disturbance together with the impact of the floodlights were carefully considered and addressed.

"Mitigation for both issues has been identified and the permission is subject to conditions regarding a noise management plan, hours of use and floodlighting and a management and maintenance plan to ensure residential amenity is safeguarded."