ACCRINGTON Stanley Football Club is looking to open a temporary office and club shop when work to the main stand begins.

The club has handed in a proposal to Hyndburn Council to move part of its facilities to a garage it owns in nearby Haworth Street.

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If the plans are accepted, the office and shop would be a road away from the Wham Stadium, off Whalley Road.

The proposal is hoping to secure temporary accommodation prior to the redevelopment of the main stand, though a construction scheme has not yet been created.

The club, in a statement to the council, said: “The proposal is part of Accrington Stanley FC’s development strategy to improve the quality and provision of facilities at the Wham Stadium.

“The temporary office and club shop would allow Accrington Stanley FC to relocate from the existing main stand staff prior to the redevelopment of the main stand and continue the implementation of the long-term strategy to provide additional modern facilities.

“A scheme is shortly to be drawn up for the proposals for the main stand.

“The development has been designed to ensure that people will be able to move easily and safely between the highway, external public areas and throughout the temporary offices and temporary shop.”

The Wham Stadium has been home to Accrington Stanley since 1970 and was previously called the Crown Ground until it was named following the change of ownership last year.

Plans for a new single-tier stand as part of a multi-million pound overhaul of the stadium was approved in June, but club officials confirmed there is no intention to increase the current capacity, which stands at around 5,000.

The club’s plans met fierce opposition from residents living close to the ground for concerns over noise, foul language and the site becoming an eyesore.

But Cllr Bernard Dawson, who sits on the planning committee, said he was ‘excited’ and supported the club’s plan to rebuild its main stand.

Cllr Dawson said: “Obviously Accrington Stanley FC are keen on developing and that is good.“The council welcomes any form of development across Hyndburn.“The main stand being redeveloped is exciting news.”