Watford Football Club has submitted a planning application to make an indoor dome at its training ground permanent.

The club have temporary planning permission for the dome at its London Colney site and are now seeking to make it permanent.

The club received permission from Hertsmere Borough Council back in 2018 for the inflatable dome, on the condition it could only be up between October and April.

In 2019, the Hornets applied to have the dome up all-year round, but the council refused, citing the "harm" the dome has on the "open character of the greenbelt land".

To this day, the 22m metre dome at the UCL Sports Ground in Bell Lane has remained up and in use.

Not only does the space cater for training sessions for Watford’s footballers, but data from the club suggests it has been well-used by community groups as well.

Planning documents state since 2019, Watford FC Community and Sports Education Trust has delivered nearly 1,000 hours of activities inside the dome, for nearly 15,000 participants.

The documents list a host of organisations which have benefitted from use of the dome, particularly organisations that support disabled people.

The club’s planning agents, Savills, say the dome has become an "invaluable community facility".

The top of the dome, circled in red, can just about be seen from Black Lion Hill in Shenley

The top of the dome, circled in red, can just about be seen from Black Lion Hill in Shenley

The dome can also be seen from London Colney High Street. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council

The dome can also be seen from London Colney High Street. Credit: Hertsmere Borough Council

The large white dome, with Watford FC colours towards the bottom, can be seen from the M25, as well as from London Colney and Shenley.

The council will decide whether to allow the club, which secured promotion back to the Premier League last month, to make the dome a permanent fixture.

The planning application can be found on Hertsmere Borough Council's planning portal. The reference is 21/0811/FUL.