Watford have been refused permission to keep an inflatable dome covering an artificial pitch at their training ground operational all year round - despite neighbours Arsenal being onboard with plans.

The Hornets have a 22-metre high dome erected at their training base in London Colney to cover an artificial pitch, which has a footprint of 79m by 117m.

Back in November the club were granted permission by Hertsmere Borough Council to use the dome for a period of five years, but only if it was inflated in winter months (from the beginning of October to the end of March).

The facility is predominantly used by Watford’s academy players and is of particular use in the winter when dark evenings, poor weather and sodden or frozen ground can cause issues.

However, the dome has also been used for numerous community initiatives and Watford had asked in March for it to stay inflated all year round.

That proposal has now been rejected by the council, though, with a supporting document stating the reason was “to minimise the impact of the structure on the openness of the Green Belt”.

Numerous objections to the dome are mentioned in the council’s report and it is stated how the common theme of these is that the structure is “an eyesore that spoils views over the Green Belt from as far afield as London Colney High Street”.

All of the responses that were received from neighbours and members of the public in the surrounding area were objections - except for Arsenal.

The Gunners are Watford’s training ground neighbours and were onboard with the Hornets keeping the dome inflated all year, although it is added in the report “they would be less averse to it if its logos were removed and if further trees were planted to screen it”.

Watford have the right to appeal the decision of the local planning authority.