More than 100 people have objected to controversial plans for a new school sports centre and all-weather pitch near homes.

Oathall Community College in Appledore Gardens, Lindfield, wants to construct the complex and an artificial turf pitch after Ofsted inspectors said that accommodation for PE was "less than adequate".

Mid Sussex Council has received 157 objections to the scheme, including one from the Ramblers Association.

The school, which has 1,400 students and 130 staff, argued that there weren't enough pitches in the area to cope with demand.

The facility, available for public hire, would be open until 10pm on Monday to Friday, 9pm on Saturday and 6.30pm on Sunday.

Protesters claim the pitch would be situated alongside the Scrase Valley Nature Reserve.

They fear that an application for flood lights will be made in the future and have argued there is already a problem with vandalism on the site and this would only make matters worse.

The Society for the Preservation of Lindfield warned that the quality of life of residents in Appledore Gardens and Pelham Road would be seriously disrupted by noise and traffic on already congested roads.

However, the school's governors said: "The one sports hall we have was built over 30 years ago for a college with less than 600 pupils, and we now have 1,400 pupils."

In a report to councillors being considered tomorrow, planning officials said: "The competing claims by supporters and objectors have considerable weight.

"But it is not considered that the sports centre proposals raise issues which would substantiate reliable grounds for refusal.

"It is an excellent facility which provides scope for enormous enjoyment for a very large number of people."

The report concluded that the area had a population of 30,000 people but no large all-weather pitch.