A council has been accused of a lack of backbone by allowing Colchester United to keep new buildings – despite noise complaints.

The club has been granted retrospective planning permission for three cabins on its Florence Park training ground, in Tiptree.

The buildings have been installed to provide further facilities for the club’s academy squad.

The club argues the rooms are necessary to maintain its youth development status, which provides funding from the Football Association.

A club spokesman said: “There are signs up around the premises asking people to be wary of their language because of our neighbours.

“We do responsibility training with our young players to make sure they know how to conduct themselves.”

But Tiptree MP Priti Patel has criticised the planning process.

Ms Patel said: “Colchester Council has once again showed a complete lack of transparency in their decision-making and ignored the views of residents."

Full story in Monday's Daily Gazette