A successful football club has been granted permission to carry on displaying advertising boards at the pitch following a dispute over the impact they have on the AONB.

A total of 36 advertising boards are currently displayed Penn and Tylers Green Football Club in Elm Road, however, concerns were raised by residents and councillors that they tarnish the protected land.

The club submitted a retrospective planning application in a bid to hold on to the signs – which was discussed by Chiltern District Council’s (CDC) planning committee yesterday evening (July 12).

The boards are 0.75 metres tall and two meters wide – and a council report states they do not infringe on the neighbouring conservation area.

However, councillor for Penn and Coleshill, Julie Burton, said the boards makes the pitch look “cluttered” adding the club should obey planning rules and guidelines.

She also criticised the application as it states the boards will only be set up on the southern side of the pitch – however, some have also been built at the northern end.

She said: “We are supposed to be protecting this particular area.

“People who live in the houses are restricted because it is in a conservation area, so they have to obey by planning rules and guidelines, and yet it looks as though the football club doesn’t have to.”

This is the second time plans for the club have been hauled in front of the planning committee – as proposals for new floodlights at the pitch were thrown out in February.

Councillor for Prestwood and Heath End, John Gladwin, added the boards “are not going to look attractive on the AONB” and suggested they only be displayed on match days.

However, councillor for Ballinger, South Heath and Chartridge, Peter Jones, who admitted visiting the club every season for the past two decades, ordered the councillor to “live in the real world”.

He said: “This is not Manchester City. These clubs are on an absolute shoe string and they are trying to make a few quid so they can enhance their value to the community.

“And every time I go there the place is littered with mums and dads with kids doing what we want kids to do.

“I would ask members to think ‘what is the harm here’? As I can recall there is a fairly substantial hedge between the immediate houses and the bridge. I don’t think they are going to see a lot.”

Councillors discussed only allowing the sign to be displayed during the football season – however, the plan was abandoned amid confusion over when the season starts and how long it runs for.

Vice chairman of the committee, Cllr Mark Titterington added: “We have to be pragmatic and balanced in the judgements that we come to and I think in this case the officers have just about got it right.”

Councillors approved the application.