A FOOTBALL club has been given the go-ahead to expand its income by staging car boot sales at its stadium.

Darlington Football Club can hold sales in the car park of The Northern Echo Arena every Sunday, after it was given permission on a oneyear temporary basis, despite residents’ concerns.

Councillors at Darlington Borough Council’s planning committee yesterday supported the application, which the club said would give it an income boost and make best use of the ground on non-match days.

The club said money will be put towards new manager Simon Davey’s playing budget this summer.

Car boot sales will be held from 10am to 3pm every Sunday, with free parking at the stadium. The club is allowed to accommodate up to 100 stalls, which must all be private sellers with second-hand goods, monitored by the council’s licensing officers.

The application is almost identical to one approved in 2004, also for 12-month temporary permission, although car boot sales were never held at the stadium.

The plans have proved controversial, with objection letters from 38 letters and Neasham Road Residents’ Action Group, but a 2,000-name petition of support. Residents objecting to the plans for the stadium, in Neasham Road, Darlington, argued Sunday car boot sales would restrict parking, increase rubbish and create extra noise and traffic.

Harry Alderson, council highways officer, said residents’ parking restrictions would not be in place on sale days as the club would be providing 600 free spaces.

Speaking for the objectors at the meeting was resident Jan Mazurk, also a member of the action group. She said: “It is going to be 52 events a year.

Would you like this on your doorstep? If this is passed, I would ask you to protect the residents’ parking area.

“How many times have I sat here and you have all said, ‘you have nothing to worry about’? My neighbours have given up. All our comments have been ignored.”

Councillor Peter Fritag said permission should be granted as the club needed help, adding: “The ‘nimbys’ protests have shackled the development of the football club, which is going to go bust if it doesn’t get some help.

“What are we going to do then? Not have any football club in the town?”