Locals near a new primary school in Putney are voicing their opposition to glaring lights akin to a “prison” shining onto Putney Common throughout the night.

Concerns about the adverse effects on local wildlife were first raised when Oasis Academy’s security lights came on in January.

Animals can become disoriented by unnatural lighting.

While some species of wildlife will be unaffected, breeding birds suffer the continued stress of singing throughout the night and small mammals are at greater risk of becoming visible to predators.

Artificial lighting can also cause disturbances in the feeding and mating patterns of bats.

Local resident Mary-Claire Mason, who has been campaigning to get the lights turned off since January, said the lights are ruining the peaceful “oasis” of Putney Common.

Mary-Claire contacted the school in early January and from her conversation with executive principal Diane Morgan she understood the lights would be turned off in mid-January- but they have remained on since.

She said: “Putney Common is a precious area. It’s wonderful for wildlife and nature.

“The security lights have completely devastated the area. It’s like a prison and they are on for absolutely no reason.

“They are just destroying the area and at a time of climate change when we are supposed to be cherishing nature.

“They should be teaching children to care about the environment and it should be sorted out straight away as a matter of urgency.”

A spokesperson from Oasis Academy Putney said: “We are working closely with Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators and the constructors of our Academy, Durkan (their contractors), to swiftly resolve this issue.”

Tom Hayward, London Wildlife Trust Reserves manager, said: “Light pollution is an increasing threat to nocturnal wildlife in developed and built up areas.

“While some generalist species are able to cope with excessive light pollution, the more specialist species, such as Daubenton’s bat, are increasingly coming under threat in London because of a decline in habitat quality.”

Putney resident Alison Classe tweeted about the issue on February 27 stating “turning lights off would be good for the environment and taxpayers”.

She told Wandsworth Guardian: “I’m pleased to hear that some action is being taken but they need to hurry up and do it.

“If it’s happening in the spring it will be disturbing to the wildlife.

“It’s not a very good message to be sending to the kids. It’s like telling them wildlife doesn’t matter.”