A school denied planning permission to open its sports facilities to the general public has appealed against councillors' decision.

Park High School, in Thistlecroft Gardens, Stanmore, was refused permission to allow clubs to use its sports hall by Harrow Borough Council’s planning committee in October.

Councillors said the school had not provided enough evidence of demand for the facilities to outweigh the impact on people living nearby.

This week the school has official lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate.

In documents on the council website the school argues it has demonstrated a demand for shared community use of the sports hall and the proposals comply with regional and local planning policy.

The original plans the public would have only be allowed to use the sports hall between the hours of 6pm and 10pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 5pm on Saturdays for a two year ‘trial period’.

Planning officers had recommend permission be granted, but they were turned down by councillors.

At the time concerns were raised by people living near the school about the increase in traffic and congestion as a result of the plans.