THE oldest surviving football club in Lancashire is seeking permission to construct a new changing block and revamp its clubhouse.

Turton FC, which was formed in 1871, is appealing to Blackburn with Darwen Council to be allowed to build a new single-storey pitched roof building to provide changing facilities for home and away fans.

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The plan also includes provision to reconfigure inside the existing clubhouse, which was built in the late 1980s to provide improved referee changing facilities, male and female toilets and a kitchen.

The council consulted 14 neighbouring properties to the ground in Thomason Fold, Edgworth, and received 12 letters of objection and one in support back.

North Turton Parish Council has raised no objections to the proposal before it is set to be voted on by councillors.

A spokesman for the council, in a document to members of the planning committee, said: “Turton Football Club has indicated that it has approached Sport England for a grant to improve the pitch drainage system.

“The offer of the grant is subject to the club upgrading its present changing facilities to the standard required by the West Lancashire Football League.

“The club has advised that the new facility and drainage improvements will not result in an increase in the number of games played at the ground.

“It suggests that the improvements should reduce the number of games called off due to waterlogging, which in turn will reduce the backlog of matches that must be played at the climax of the season.

“It is considered that, on balance and subject to an appropriate materials condition, the proposed buildings would not adversely affect landscape character or the openness of the green belt setting.”

The objections raised by residents to the council include swearing by players, litter, noise, footballs being kicked into gardens and players changing in cars.

Council officers have recommended that the proposal is approved by councillors at a meeting on Thursday subject to a series of conditions being imposed including that no social function should be held in the new and reconfigured building.

In a letter to the council, Brian Cass of Wayoh Croft, Turton, said: “I do not want to see any expansion of the club or its grounds in any way.

“The application has been submitted with little thought to the design and materials to be used in the proposed construction.”

Club chairman Peter Gray said: “This plan is to make the situation better and I have posted letters to local residents in an attempt to work with them. I have got back some supportive messages which is great.

“We are trying to future-proof the club and make things better for the whole community.”