Plans to build ‘a warehouse’ in the middle of a recreation ground ‘would be a huge blot on our landscape’ neighbours have warned.

Padel Maidenhead, at Braywick Sports and Recreation Ground, wants to convert all of its outdoor courts to all-weather pitches – including with a 10.45 metre high canopy over one of them.

But neighbours have written to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead to complain that the structure would ‘destroy’ the recreation ground.

John Sweeney of Braywick Road said: “News has reached me that a developer is planning to build what can only be described as a warehouse in the middle of Braywick Sports Ground. I object to this in the strongest manner possible.

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“This is open, green land that has not been eaten up by new permanent buildings. It is a fundamental part of the limited green public recreation space in Maidenhead. It must remain this way.”

He added: “Any new building would destroy the beauty and heritage of the site.”

Barry James of Rushington Avenue said the building ‘would be a huge blot on our landscape, a landscape that has been enjoyed by many for decades’.

However Padel Maidenhead have submitted a visual assessment arguing that the visual impact of the canopy would be ‘minor’ – as the view of it would be screened by plants an buildings.

The assessment said: “The visual envelope of the site is relatively limited with the site being contained by existing vegetation and built form present along the perimeter of the Braywick Sports and Recreation Ground and built form within the adjacent area.

“There are limited views of the site from outside of the park and these include a number of residential dwellings in close proximity to the park and from Braywick Road and Greenfields from where users would only glimpse the site area.”

The assessment also says the canopy would be in keeping with other nearby buildings and that it would not impact on the openness of the green belt.

Maidenhead Chamber of Commerce has also written to support the plans saying that it would encourage more people to play padel, and draw more business to the borough.

Council planning officers have recommended that the plans be refused as inappropriate development on the green belt.

But councillor Geoff Hill has asked the Royal Borough’s Maidenhead development management committee to debate and vote on the plan so that its ‘community developments are fully debated in public’.

Councillors on the committee are set to make their decision on Thursday October 17.