PLANS to build a new 1,500 all-seater stand at Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium have been passed.

But club owner Andy Holt said work would not start until ‘mission critical’ ground improvements were completed.

Mr Holt said he had already spent £800,000 on the ground in Livingstone Road and was working to install male and female toilets in the Clayton End of the ground and a catering area.

Once that is completed work will then start on the new Whinney Hill stand, which will replace the existing north stand.

The plan was unanimously voted through by Hyndburn Council’s planning committee, with council leader Cllr Miles Parkinson saying it is a ‘positive move for the borough’.

Mr Holt said: “I am delighted that it’s gone through. I am delighted that Accrington’s on its way to having a football club that’s functional.

“My aim is to ensure this football club is sustainable and this is a major step in the right direction.

“Work will not start on it until we have got all the mission critical stuff done first.”

The application received 38 letters of support and two objections regarding lighting and sound.