Fed-up councillors are to write to Accrington Stanley accusing them of ‘flaunting’ planning rules.

Over the last three years Hyndburn Council planning officers have received three separate applications for developments which had already gone ahead.

The latest went before the committee last week.

The club has asked for permission to retain a 9.8m by 2.8m portable building at the football ground which has been in place since September last year and is used as an office by the club’s Community Trust.

Other recent applications include a crowd control cabin and the erection of a new supporters stand last year.

Councillors passed the latest retrospective application but agreed to write to the club asking them to be more co-operative in the future.

Speaking at a meeting of the planning committee meeting, Coun Marlene Haworth said: “I’m sick of retrospective planning applications. They are a nightmare to this committee. These people, especially this particular applicant, think they can walk all over this planning committee and it’s just not acceptable.

“They just keeping flaunting our rules like they don’t exist any more.”

Deputy leader Coun Clare Pritchard said: “Whenever I see retrospective with Accrington Stanley I just cringe and I find myself just regularly talking about it.

“They have just got no recognition of the planning process. The residents who live nearby have to live with the football ground behind them but the impact they have on their lives is significant.”

Accrington Stanley chief executive Rob Heys said: “I think it’s a fair comment from the council as quite a few of our planning applications have been retrospective.

“Sometimes we have to do them to accommodate things quite quickly like temporary buildings.

“It’s not done to upset anyone at the council.

“We are not above the law.

“It’s a bit disappointing when people go to the local authority to complain rather than come to the club.
There’s nobody more approachable than the club and myself.

“I haven’t received the letter yet but when I do we will pay attention to it and respond accordingly.”