FAMILIES have hit out at a decision to let a temporary polythene sports hall near their homes carry on being used for the next three years.

King Alfred’s Community and Sports College in Wantage was originally granted planning permission for the polythene dome over outdoor tennis courts in Challow Road in 2007.

Under the terms of the planning permission, the £200,000 hall was only allowed to remain up between October and May.

But Oxfordshire County Council’s planning committee has now agreed the college can keep it up all year round.

People living in Warmans Close and Lydsee Gate have reacted angrily to the decision.

A Warmans Close resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “Our main problem is the noise of the fans that keep the thing up.”

“I am very disappointed.”

About 1,760 students, aged between 11 and 18, use the dome on a weekly basis.

College principal Nicholas Young said the dome was a vital facility for students at the specialist sports college.

He added: “We are installing internal divisions and netting to reduce the sound, and further measures around the compressor.

“These should make a big difference.

“We do understand some local residents’ concern about noise.

A county council spokesman said councillors had decided the college could keep the dome in use all year round until its planning permission expired in April 2012.

He added: “This was subject to a further condition that the school carries out a noise assessment within the next two months, and is able to demonstrate levels generated by the dome's compressor are no higher than 50 decibels at any point three metres from the unit.”

The county council also said the college should establish a liaison group to discuss issues with residents.