Plans have been submitted for Wembley Stadium to host an extra nine non-sporting events with up to 100,000 spectators each year.

Brent Council’s planning department will assess the proposals, which seek to increase the maximum number of annual musical and other events to 24.

If approved, these would sit alongside the 22 sporting events – with a capacity of 90,000 – which are permitted each year.

The application also seeks to uphold the ‘two-for-one’ swap condition between the type of events held at the stadium – it can host an additional three sporting events each year in place of two non-sporting events on each occasion.

Of the 38 comments on the council’s planning portal, 36 are opposed to the proposals, with one supporter and one neutral opinion.

The majority of the concerns surround the impact on the neighbouring area in terms of traffic and parking issues, as well as the increased litter and noise attached to event days.

According to the statement put forward by the applicant, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced the proposals.

It noted the loss of around £300 million due to cancelled events – including the Euro 2020 semi-finals and finals, which have been postponed to this summer – in addition to 124 job losses.

There are also concerns around the presence of other venues in London, such as the Olympic Stadium, Twickenham and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which will have faced similar issues.

The applicant argued Wembley needs “greater flexibility” to compete with these venues and ensure it, and Brent, benefits as part of the wider recovery from the pandemic.

“The current restriction on music events at the stadium makes it difficult to provide this level of flexibility and limits the ability of the stadium to compete against other venues that operate with fewer restrictions and have much greater freedom,” the statement read.

“It is within this context that the proposed change to the event cap detailed below are being sought.”