WORK to extend one of the terraces at Accrington Stanley’s Crown Ground has started without planning permission, the club has admitted.

The club wants to increase its capacity to 5,000 to meet Football League requirements and create a permanent food stall and new toilets.

Hyndburn Borough Council’s leader Peter Britcliffe has criticised the club for going ahead with the work.

But Stanley’s chief executive Rob Heys said the club had consulted with its neighbours and was subject to time restraints before the start of the season.

Coun Britcliffe said: “They deserve to be shown the red card.

"They know planning permission is required for this extension and have known for some time they need to increase capacity.

“It is no surprise and our planning department is always happy to give pre-application advice.

“There is just no excuse to go ahead and carry out the work in this way.”

The extension will add six steps to the Coppice End terrace, making it 1.5 metres higher than at present.

The steel framework for the extension was delivered yesterday morning and is believed to have attracted the attention of planning officers who visited the club.

Mr Heys said: “We were subject to time restraints before the start of the season and before Christmas ensured we contacted residents.

“No-one objected after we sent our letter but we did have one or two positive remarks.

“Council officers have visited and they are happy for us to carry on. We have a much better relationship with the council these days.”

He said the work would be finished either today or tomorrow in time for the next home match against Southend on February 12.

Reds managing director Dave O’Neill was away on business yesterday but believed Lancashire County Council had approved the plan in principle.

However, Hyndburn is the planning authority.