A SELBY school’s hopes of using its floodlit sports facilities until late at night have been dealt a blow.

Selby High School has applied to keep its outdoor games area operating as a “community facility” until 9.15pm during the week – three-and-a-half hours longer than it is currently allowed to operate – but the proposals have been recommended for refusal.

North Yorkshire County Council planners said that despite the school pledging to install “acoustic barriers” to reduce disturbance for nearby residents, and the need for sports facilities in Selby following the fire which wrecked Abbey Leisure Centre last February, they “cannot be wholly satisfied” a permanent extension of hours would not cause noise problems.

A decision will be made next Tuesday.

Among the supporters of the school’s proposals is Selby and Ainsty MP Nigel Adams, who said turning the application down will have “a great impact” on Selby Hockey Club, which would have “great difficulty in continuing to function”.

Parents of Selby High pupils and local sports clubs, including York City FC – whose coaches stage sessions at the facility as part of the club’s community programme – have also backed the plans, but Selby Town Council and the town’s environmental health officer have objected over noise risks.

The games area at the Leeds Road School can accommodate three seven-a-side football pitches or one full-size football and hockey pitch. It was approved in 2008, but only allowed to stay open until 6pm during the week, with no weekend use.

In March 2011, an 18-month agreement was sealed which enabled it to operate until 8pm on weekdays, but that expired last October. It now has a 6pm closing time and can only be used Monday to Friday.

As well as a permanent 9.15pm weekday closing time, the school also wants to open the sports area between 9am and 12.30pm on Saturdays.

Supporters have said refusal would “deprive the local community of a fantastic resource”, prevent children having sporting opportunities on weeknights and threaten local sports clubs, but opponents say the “quality of life” for those living nearby will be blighted by noise and the floodlights.

In a report which will go before the meeting. planning officer Alan Goforth said the arguments for and against the proposals were “well balanced”, but they should be refused “in the interests of protecting local residential amenity”.