THE bitter dispute between an East Lancashire football club and its neighbours and the local authority over noise from its hospitality suite has moved a step closer to resolution.

In December, Hyndburn Council imposed a noise abatement order on the £2.5million complex at Accrington Stanley's Wham Stadium after complaints from nearby householders about the sound of live music events from its Coley's Bar.

This led to the cancellation of several live music concerts and the football club's chairman Andy Holt angrily returning his 'Freedom of the Borough' medal.

Since then Stanley officials and council planners have been working with specialist acoustic consultants on a solution to the stand-off with a view to ending the ban on live music.

The complex, which includes Coley's supporters sports bar and the 1968 hospitality lounge, was opened in March last year by former sports minister Tracey Crouch MP.

It had been granted planning permission in October 2020 with a condition on noise based on an assessment submitted with the application.

Now following the abatement order, which was deemed to be a breach of that condition, the club has been required to resubmit a full new planning application for the complex.

This document - with the original noise assessment omitted in favour of two new acoustic reports from Portuguese specialist firm Artnovion - is being considered by Hyndburn Council planners.

The expert consultant has recommended a comprehensive new scheme of sound insulation for Coley's Bar and the 1968 Lounge which it is hoped will solve the noise problem from live music events at the stadium in Livingstone Road.

An Accrington Stanley spokeswoman said: "It is a new planning application for the 1968 Lounge and Coley's.

"On the original planning application there were a few discrepancies which needed tidying up and the club is working with Hyndburn Council on this."

Council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson said: "This new application seeks to resolve the noise problem from Coley's Bar.

"It aims to deal with the concerns of local residents and council officials.

"I am confident it should achieve this and allow live music to go ahead again. It should put this issue to bed.

"The council is keen to support Accrington Stanley Football Club which is a great asset to the town and the borough."

A spokeswoman from Hyndburn Council said: "The noise abatement notice remains in place. The council is continuing to work with Accrington Stanley Football Club and local residents to achieve a positive outcome."