A 15-signature petition against the scheme has been sent to Kirklees Council, but members of the Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee approved the application at its meeting in Dewsbury town hall on Thursday.

A report to the meeting said the floodlights would be around 70m from neighbouring properties which would not have a "significantly detrimental impact" on them – provided there were controls on the hours of operation.

But John Watson, speaking on behalf of the residents, told the meeting that the 8m high floodlights would cause light pollution for people living nearby.

"We're also concerned about noise problems. We already have gangs gathering and noise now," he said.

"People in this area are 70-80 years old and don't want this at their time of life. They just want peace and tranquillity.

"A recent Spenborough Guardian had a report of gangs of youths gathering in Firth Park, Heckmondwike, smashing bottles and riding bikes on the bowling green and we don't want this to happen in Royds Park.

"These two tennis courts have been well used over the years but in the autumn of 2006, culture and leisure –in their wisdom – decided to do nothing about them and leave them to go to rack and ruin. Since then they have been vandalised, and in December 2006 the Spen Valley area committee put £5,500 to one side to upgrade these courts. But to this day culture and leisure have never done anything about it."

Addressing the issues raised Coun Ann Raistrick (Lib Dem/Cleck) said: "As for attracting more people into the area, yes it will, and that's the whole point of doing these things.

"As for attracting anti-social behaviour we could say that about every single development or leisure facility. This is always raised as an issue and what has to happen is that it has to be managed by the police, neighbourhood management etc, and I can assure Mr Watson that if there are problems they will be dealt with."

The MUGA will use one of the two courts.

Coun Raistrick added: "At the moment the second tennis court is being used as a car park by those working at the council depot in the park, but I have had a go at leisure services because it has not got planning permission for a change of use to a car park - and that is the one that will be developed as a tennis court by the area committee funding. It is not a car park."