Sheffield Islamic Centre on the ball with football pitches and car park plans

Members of Sheffield Council's planning and highways committee approved the application from the Emaan Trust of Sheffield to convert a plot of land around Grimesthorpe Road, Cyclops Street and Margate Street in Burngreave into two five-a-side pitches at a meeting on Tuesday.

The pitches will be surfaced so they could provide parking for 42 additional vehicles for the £5 million mosque and Islamic centre, which is currently being built.

The trust originally hoped to close part of Cyclops Street and create new access from Grimesthorpe Road as part of the development but amended its plans following an objection from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

A report submitted to the committee by officers said a four-and-half metre high fence would surround the football pitches and a rail fence would remain in place on a plot of land between Cyclops Street and Grimesthorpe to prevent it being used for parking.

Councillors unanimously approved the application without discussion despite 18 objections to the plans, raising concerns that the sports facilities may lead to a rise in crime and anti-social behaviour, may lead to increase traffic in the area.

Those living near the site also raised concerns about the height of the fence and said they were worried that their properties could be damaged by footballs.

The pitches would be owned and managed by The Emaan Trust of Sheffield but would be "available for anyone to use", a report said.