AN East Lancashire football club has been forced to reapply for planning permission for its new pavilion but without proposals for an aerodynamic new stand.

Darwen FC has been given approval for its revised submission for a new clubhouse at its Anchor Ground after failing to build it in accordance with the previous permission.

But a major question marks now hangs over the related scheme to construct a new south stand with a roof shape inspired by an aircraft wing to hold 690 spectators.

The latest backdated planning permission is for two-storey new-build club facilities including office space, bar area, balcony, WC and circulation and meeting rooms.

But the south stand is not included in the latest application or approval.

The redevelopment is being financed from the governments £25million of Darwen Town Deal grants.

Darwen South Conservative Cllr Kevin Connor said he was 'extremely concerned' about what he branded an 'unbelievable' chain of events.

Sarah Hindle, chairperson of Darwen FC, said: "Due to the complexities of the construction project, this application was to regularise the previous planning approval.

"“Our full focus is on completing the new Legends building and opening it so it can to be enjoyed by our loyal Darwen FC supporters and the Darwen community.

“This new planning permission solely focuses on that as it’s our priority, but, of course, we are always looking at ways to improve our facilities and build on the success of the historic club.”

Cllr Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said of the new Darwen FC approval: “The original planning permission was granted in January 2021.

“On completion of the build, we found that the club had not built it to the architect’s original plans.

"Some of the construction details, such as drainage layouts and access specifics, needed to be updated.

"By this time, in January 2024, the original planning permission had expired,

"Therefore, a new planning application was submitted to regularise the details of the build.

“We will be monitoring this project very closely going forward to ensure the issues with the building are put right.”

A planning officer's report said: "This application seeks part-retrospective consent to retain and modify a two-storey

building providing new club facilities, which has been built along the south edge of the football pitch.

"A bar, lounge area, toilets and associated functions are provided on the ground floor.

"A board room, office and viewing terrace are provided on the first floor.

"A glazed balustrade has been installed enclosing the viewing terrace with and pair of grey metal staircases installed for access purposes.

"The building is now largely complete."

The body of the report reveals: "Highways and parking impacts were appraised at length as part of application 10/20/1095.

"This new application is essentially a scaled-back version of that approval as it no longer includes a new spectator stand.

"When compared with the previous submission the impacts on the local highway network would be less."

The new clubhouse was to be financed from £250,000 for the Anchor Ground’s redevelopment obtained by Blackburn with Darwen Council from the government as the part of the initial grant from the Darwen Town Deal.

The new South Stand was expected to be paid for out of a further £500,000 allocation from the total £25m town deal grant as phase two of the scheme.

But the Lancashire Telegraph understands that the price of the existing incorrectly-built clubhouse has now soared to more than £350,000 with the cost of the work to bring it into line with the approved plans set to eat further into the overall envisaged £750,000 budget envelope making it unlikely the club can afford to build the proposed phase two plane wing South Stand.

Cllr Connor, a former member of the Darwen Town Deal Board, said: "I am extremely concerned about this.

"Why wasn't this project properly monitored by council planners before now?

"We are taking about of lot of public money.

"This development was supposed to be a major asset for the club and the people of Darwen.

"This is unbelievable."