A MOORLAND village sports club is seeking to extend and upgrade its main building.

Edgworth Cricket and Recreation Club has put forward the scheme for its ground in Bolton Road, Turton.

It has asked Blackburn with Darwen Council for planning permission for a proposed single storey in-fill extension to the clubhouse with associated outdoor spectator terrace extension.

A supporting statement submitted with the application by the club founded in 1902 says: "The proposed facilities outlined within this application are intended to serve existing members, players and community, not attract additional members or customers from outside of the local vicinity.

"The existing membership base is ample and the proposals are specifically related to the enhancement of their enjoyment of the club.

"Edgworth CRC share the land with The Barlow Institute.

"The club does not own the ground, the area being part of the Barlow Institute Estate.

"The club was awarded a grant in 2004 to develop and improve the site.

"The old clubhouse was knocked down in 2005 to make way for a new clubhouse.

"Works to extend the existing clubhouse commenced in 2018 to accommodate new function space at ground floor and changing facilities at first floor.

"The clubhouse comprises a single-storey element with sheltered recessed veranda and two-storey element comprising the aforementioned extension.

"The clubhouse in the main hub of Edgworth village and proves to be the main venue to meet and socialise all year round.

"Inclusive of the obvious provision of cricket matches, it also offers amenities for many different purposes, from supper clubs to darts competitions, private functions to community meetings.

"Following the previous expansion of the club, its popularity has soared and the extra function space is always in demand.

"The official club membership has never been rivalled and increases annually.

"The proposed works comprise of two key elements: a small extension to existing clubhouse to enclose existing veranda and to extend the spectators viewing terrace.

"The clubhouse straddles the Green Belt boundary, however, it does not sit within it.

"The existing veranda has proved to be a congested space that restricts access to the main entrance of the clubhouse.

"Due to the popularity of the clubhouse and the demand for additional indoor seating, the proposed extension is to simply enclose the existing veranda space to create additional indoor accommodation.

"A proposed extension to the existing external terrace is proposed to the west of the existing clubhouse in the same area where a previous structure was approved but not constructed.

"The terrace is to accommodate spectators during cricket matches and seating in the warmer months to encourage customers away from congregating outside of the clubhouse doorways."