HAZARDOUS flammable substances stored close to a football club have led to a decision on whether it can extend its grandstand being deferred.

Ashford Town FC had been hoping to get an application to increase its seating area from 100 to 150 and its covered standing area room from 100 to 300 approved by Spelthorne Council's Planning Committee on Wednesday last week.

But members decided to postpone any decision until December 4 after a report highlighted concerns about the proximity of the club's grounds, located in Short Lane, Stanwell, to a fuel storage facility and the possibility of any pipe ruptures.

The delay has come as a devastating blow to club chairman, Bob Parker, who claimed the hold-up is throwing them into turmoil.

Mike Peters, head of planning at the council, said: "The site is situated alongside an oil depot which is used for the storage of aviation fuel.

"Therefore the health and safety executive raised concerns about the site's close proximity to hazardous flammable substances and deferred the matter so that further investigations could be carried out.

"Obviously, we will need to take precautions to ensure that, while work is being carried out, a JCB won't rupture a fuel line."

However, Mr Parker described the report as ludicrous and said: "I am very disappointed. I can't see the logic behind it because we have been here for 15 years and the fuel has never posed a safety threat to us before."

He added: "The delay is a real problem for us because even if we are given planning permission we still need to raise £120,000 to do the works and then get them in place by April 1, 2002, or face relegation from the Ryman League.

"All we can do now is contact the Football Foundation and see if it will at least begin to process our application for funding whilst we await the committee's decision."

By.Sherelle Folkes