A £750,000 improved sports facility is to be built at Rossendale United's ground in Dark Lane, Newchurch, after councillors voted narrowly to approve the application.

Rossendale United now has permission to build a multi-activity sports hall, spectator stand and provision for additional parking.

But the application will still have to go to the Secretary of State for approval because it involves the sale of council land and is a departure from the greenlands policy in the district local plan.

At the development control committee a resident spoke of the concerns of fellow residents who live on the Staghills estate.

He said the proposed use would increase traffic and presented a petition bearing 100 names.

He said he was also concerned the new centre would take users away from other leisure facilities in Rossendale.

But Kevin Proctor, club secretary, said: "These facilities would benefit Rossendale United and the sporting community of Rossendale.

"It will complement existing facilities and give us the opportunity to move up to a higher league."

He said the sports hall would provide a rain free grassed environment which would be available for schools to use.

The club's plans have been approved in principle for grants from the Foundation for Football Development.

Councillors were concerned about the access to the proposed centre which is in the middle of a council estate.

Coun Graham Pearson said: "I don't think it will be an asset to the area.

"It will cause additional traffic and Staghills Road already has problems with cars racing up and down."

Chairman Coun David Hancock said the additional parking would improve the situation for the estate on match days and Coun Alan Neal moved the plans be approved which was agreed.

Permission was granted subject to a number of conditions including improving the road surface and introducing a new footpath to separate pedestrians from vehicles on Dark Lane.

Use of the hall is to be restricted to weekdays 10am to 10pm, Saturdays 9am to 1pm and Sunday 10am to 6pm.

Site access must also be improved on to Staghills Road.