We live in The Archers village but it’s ruined by football club & it’s ‘loutish’ fans – it’s Premier League-worthy chaos
PEOPLE living in The Archers village have told their area has been ruined by football club and its “loutish” fans.
The picturesque village of Inkberrow, Worcestershire is now the field of a heated brawl.
SWNSLocals living in the town that inspired The Archers are up in arms over a football club[/caption]
SWNSInkberrow’s The Old Bull Inn is thought to have inspired the BBC hit[/caption]
SWNSIt comes after the club went for planning permission over two news stands[/caption]
SWNSThey say their usually quiet town turns to chaos on the weekends[/caption]
Residents in the countryside, immortalised in the radio drama The Archers, are up in arms with the local football club.
The Old Bull Inn pub is thought to have inspired BBC Radio 4’s long-running series.
But locals are blowing the whistle on rowdy match days that they say ruin the tranquil vibe of their pricey £500,000-average homes.
They claimed their once-peaceful streets are now filled with the noisy echoes of fans – who they say are almost as loud as Premier League lovers.
The non-league Inkberrow FC boasts 30 teams spanning across all ages – from under-7s to the over-50s.
Where once stood natural fields, now rises the bustling Sands Pavilion ground hosting weekly matches and training sessions.
And now, in an effort to fit all its teams and supporters, the club has applied to its local council to build new stands.
But the application has been met with opposition – with some locals slamming it.
Many claim their village is being “swamped” by the team’s expansion and ruined by “loutish” supporters.
Lynn Moseley, who lives opposite the Midlands club, claimed it would be “like having Birmingham City FC’s ground in the middle of a little village”.
The mother-of-two added: “At first it was a little annoying on a Sunday because it’s a very tranquil place but now the noise even comes down my chimney because I have a coal fire.
“You think ‘blimey, this wasn’t like this before’ – it was a nice, quiet dark village.”
Even her own home is not spared, she said.
She fumed: “The floodlights don’t affect me but for the people who live up the road, they’re right into their bedrooms.
“You’ve got the shouting and the swearing from the pitch, which I understand. I used to play netball so I know how excited you become.”
Busy traffic after during the games are also causing a nightmare for nearby residents.
They claimed there are no paths for cares to park down so they end up onto the grass.
You think ‘blimey, this wasn’t like this before’ – it was a nice, quiet dark village.
Lynn Moseley
Ms Moseley said: “When I’m walking my dogs you have your life in your hands.”
The retired bank worker is now “begging” for the club to stop the expansion as more traffic could put a toll on the small village.
Ms Moseley continued: “I don’t disagree that it’s bad for the kids to play football, but it’s not nice having it on your doorstep.
“Neighbours say they don’t agree with it but they’re too scared to say anything. They said they were worried they would be alienated.”
Other residents also complained about how late fans stay out in their area as the club has an alcohol license.
Another, who did not want to be named, added: “I’m glad the team are doing so well but it does attract a certain loutish atmosphere on matchdays.
“The traffic can get quite bad too. You can hear the players and supporters effing and jeffing and what not. It does completely shatter the peace and quiet.”
Exactly how far you can extend home WITHOUT planning permission under new plans
MILLIONS of homeowners will be able to build bigger extensions and loft conversions without needing permission under new plans.
Michael Gove announced a raft of policy measures in February including changes to permitted development rights to allow people to extend their homes outwards and upward.
A consultation on the proposed changes sets out how homeowners could build wider and taller extensions without planning permission.
The plans include L-shaped wraparounds, loft conversions and kitchen extensions.
The document also proposes to scrap rules which mean extensions and other buildings must not exceed 50 per cent of the land surrounding it, known as the “curtilage”.
Homeowners will also be able to convert as much loft space as they want without permission.
It is part of a broader effort by the Conservatives to support a “gentle densification” of towns and cities across the country.
The Levelling Up Secretary also wants to pile pressure on local councils to build new homes in a bid to solve Britain’s housing crisis.
But the planning reforms sparked fears of a surge in neighbours feuding.
Gove was accused of creating “civil war” as disputes over kitchen extensions encroaching on garden fences and loft conversions blocking light are likely to increase.
Rosie Lee added: “This club is growing way too fast for the size of the small rural village we live in.
“The applications being put in are for a town-sized club’s amenities.”
But it’s not all yellow cards and fouls, some locals praised the club’s role in bringing the community together.
Local Gloria Dale told The Daily Mail: “As far as I’m concerned sports is good for the village. It brings more people together.
“Some people just moan about anything in the village because it hasn’t happened before.
“There’s more children here than ever before. Anything to do with sports and to get children playing is good with me.”
Supporter Gareth Cornwell added: “The club is fantastic meeting place for everyone. Safe and secure for our little ones to run around.”
Local mum Natalie said the club is a vital play for community spirit and it “keeps the children busy”.
Inkberrow’s first team currently plays in the Midland Football League Division 2.
And Sporting Club Inkberrow compete in Division One of the Hellenic League.
A spokesman for Wychavon District Council said: “Consultation is currently being carried out on this application until 17 May and anyone interested can view the application and submit a comment on our website in the usual way.
“As this is a planning application we have yet to make a decision on, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The Sun has approached Inkberrow Football Club for comment.
SWNSLocals are up in arms over the plans to build more stands[/caption]
SWNSThey say their village used to be ‘tranquil’[/caption]
