THE Accrington Stanley Community Trust has revealed new plans for a multi-million pound expansion of its sport hub as councillors approved a deal for the football club’s new training ground.

The trust unveiled the £5million scheme to add a new leisure complex to its centre off Thorneyholme Road, Accrington.

The proposed complex will be situated on the top section of Higham Playing Fields next to the current building.

Plans include an indoor 3G football pitch, multi-use games areas, exercise studio and a gym, along with other additions to the hub which opened in March 2020.

Meanwhile Hyndburn Council’s cabinet granted a 100-year lease for the King George V Playing Fields in Royds Avenue on the Hollins Estate, associated car park and changing pavilion to Accrington Stanley FC costing it £550,000.

The fields will be used as a new training ground for the League One side's teams - its first ever.

The £550,000 will be allocated to the provision of a proposed new £6m leisure centre at Wilson’s Playing Fields in Clayton-le-Moors.

Speaking about the sports hub expansion, a spokesman for the community trust said: “The new plans show our vision of expanding the facilities at the Stanley Sports Hub to engage further with the local community.

“We’re at the very early stages of this proposed development and we will be consulting with key stakeholders and the community over the coming months.’’ Former Milnshaw councillor and nearby resident Malcolm Pritchard said: “I am totally against this project. Local residents will be horrified.”

Hyndburn Council leader Miles Parkinson said: “This new proposed scheme by Accrington Stanley Community Trust will complement investment across Hyndburn recently announced by the council of £10million by Hyndburn Leisure Trust.”

Club chairman and owner Andy Holt said: “For some years we have been hoping to have a training ground in Hyndburn and King George's is the perfect spot.

“It will be used by our first team, reserve team and the Accrington Stanley FC Academy which focuses on developing young people to be future football players.”

Cllr Parkinson said: “Hyndburn Council have owned this land since 1938.

“Prior to Covid-19, our King George V playing fields were booked just two hours per week.

“The lease with Accrington Stanley FC means the pitch will be used for around 30 hours per week.

“It allows us to help keep their training within the borough.”