Furious petitioners say they will lose even more recreational space near their homes when a car park is built on playing fields.

An application to build a pay and display car park with 24 spaces on New Pond Playing Fields in Sidmouth Drive, Ruislip Gardens, was approved at Hillingdon Council's North Planning Committee last Wednesday.

Three petitions with a total of 192 signatures were received by the committee objecting to the plans put forward by the council to improve access to the fields.

The main concerns include the loss of recreational space, the possibility it will be used by commuters and Ruislip High School teachers, the use of Chrysalis regeneration fund money to build it and possible anti-social behaviour.

Ruth Wyatt of Sidmouth Drive, said: "Most people walk there and footballers use it at the weekend when there's less traffic and adequate parking.

"Can we assume school staff won't be given car park passes?

"Our main concern is that we lost a big chunk of land when the school opened and we don't want to lose more."

Eilmar Montessori School and Nursery also objected to the plans because they think access from their fire escape route will be obstructed and they were also looking to expand the school on the space where the car park is going to be built.

Ruislip Manor councillor and Lib Dem leader, Mike Cox, said: "A hell of a lot of alley gates are not being built because Chrysalis funds are going towards this car park. It's a travesty to build on this land and once it's gone it's gone forever."

A four-hour time limit was set to stop commuters from using it, but that was scrapped in favour of new opening times from 8am to 10pm.

Rosemary Stevens of Thurlstone Road, said: "I think the whole thing is ridiculous.

"I have lived in my house for 51 years and the use of that field has never depended on a car park.

"Anti social behaviour is very bad at times, and we are worried the car park will be used in the winter when the fields are all muddy."

Councillor Bruce Baker, chairman of the committee, said: "There's no doubt that if you want to use the fields or either of the two schools you are pressed to find anywhere to stop.

"I can't understand why there was so much objection to it."