Town councillor Kenny Horn says planned developments at Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club should be embraced - and keep pace with a growing town.

Cllr Horn has issued a statement in support of the scheme - and says a group is being set up to liaise with local residents who are unhappy with the club's proposed expansion.

The Lower Packington Road-based club is hoping for planning permission to expand its existing clubhouse, to include raising the roof height to provide first floor accommodation, dormer windows and a balcony - along with new changing room facilities and an extension to a terrace stand.

But the most recent meeting of Ashby de la Zouch Town Council's planning committee objected to the scheme on the grounds of highway safety, while expressing concerns over parking, additional noise and a lack of communication with local residents.

A final decision rests with North West Leicestershire District Council which gave planning permission to a previous Ashby Ivanhoe development for new sport pitches and a larger parking area.

But Cllr Horn says the club's plans should be supported.

Ashby Town Councillor Kenny Horn set up Ashby Sport with support from former town councillor Dan Harrison (left). Photo: Ashby Nub News

He founded the Ashby Sport organisation which aims to bring the area's sports clubs together and encourage participation.

In a statement issued to Ashby Nub News, Cllr Horn says: "The extremely healthy sports and recreation community in Ashby de la Zouch comprises over 40 different clubs and associations that play an important role in local wellbeing, entertainment and enjoyment.

"Sadly, across the town, many of the sports and recreation facilities are in poor state of repair and are in desperate need of investment and regeneration.

"There is much local media coverage surrounding the latest application by Ashby Ivanhoe Football Club to improve the welfare and social environment for members and visitors.

"This is a welcome, self-financed initiative that will add value to the wider sporting community.

"A new welfare block will simply replace the existing temporary portacabins and other work will include essential, long overdue roof repair.

"Regulations and standards in sport are continually changing and therefore important that all clubs adapt to facilitate these changes.  

"The club's senior management fully acknowledge the need to engage and improve the relationship with local residents.

"A central condition of the previous planning application to increase car parking was the formation of a formally structured and populated Resident Liaison Group.

"Regrettably, through no fault of the club, the process has taken longer than expected but is likely to be assembled in the next week or so.

"This will provide a valuable framework for both local residents and club officials to work more closely together. I look forward to joining the group.

"Ashby is a growing town. Like other services and amenities, sport and recreation must keep pace with this growth.

"I'm pleased to report there is now a local Task Force comprising representatives from District Council, Town Council, Schools and other interest groups, to examine other needs and identify opportunities to improve facilities in the town.

"Ashby is recognised as a priority area for investment by many of the notable sports funding providers therefore important we embrace this opportunity."