ACCRINGTON Stanley have unveiled £1million redevelopment plans after agreeing to a new 25-year lease of the Crown Ground.

Bosses at the club said the project secures their commitment to the stadium after plans to find a new home were dropped.

Reds chief executive Rob Heys said the investment, much of which will come from Football Foundation grants, would see a range of improvements completed.

Work to improve the changing rooms, toilets and catering as well as general renovations to the car park and reception rooms are planned.

Mr Heys said the club did explore the idea of moving the club to a new stadium but no suitable location was found.

And he said with just six years remaining on the club’s current lease on the Crown Ground it was important to provide more stability before improvement work takes place.

The club rents the ground from Hyndburn Council at a reduced rate in sponsorship deal that sees the authority promoted at the stadium and in the programme.

The new lease has been agreed in principle by both sides but negotiations have not been completed.

Mr Heys said: “Much of the work we need to complete is cosmetic.

“Currently it looks like a non-league ground because there are a lot of temporary buildings and it is generally very scruffy.

“We feel that we are now firmly established as a Football League club and even have realistic ambitions of promotion to League One.

“That is why we are so keen to bring the ground up to shape.”

He said the development would aim to be tasteful and encourage more families to matches.

The Reds have been based at the Crown Ground since 1968.

The stadium can accommodate 5,000 supporters but no plans are in place to increase the capacity or increase the numbered of seated places, which is currently around 2,000.