Plans by Sunderland Football Club to extend its training academy have been rejected by the local authority.

The club had submitted five planning applications to South Tyneside Council to extend its Academy of Light at Whitburn Moor.

Green-belt protesters had objected to the extension plans and cautiously welcomed the council's decision.

Sunderland said on Friday it was "disappointed" that the extra facilities would not be built at the site.

We are pleased that the council has continued to show their support for the protection of the green belt

Tim O' Leary, Greenbelt Action Group

Sunderland AFC chairman Bob Murray said: "We are extremely disappointed that the plans have been refused.

"Right from the start the Academy of Light has been planned to offer maximum benefits not only to the club but also to the local community and this decision represents a major setback not only for South Tyneside, but the whole region.

"We have pledged to expand our nationally renowned community scheme further in South Tyneside and we are very disappointed that we are being delayed from delivering that promise."

The planning applications were turned down by South Tyneside Council's planning committee on Friday.

Access restricted

Members of the committee agreed with it would be an inappropriate development in the green belt and would cause increased traffic.

Councillor Audrey McMillan, chairman of the planning committee, said: "I am very concerned that the football club has, contrary to previous indications, decided to seek expansion of the facilities on the site.

"I am also seriously concerned that they also sought to severely restrict public access to the open woodland areas of the site."

Tim O' Leary, chairman of the Greenbelt Action Group told BBC Radio Newcastle: "We are pleased that the council has continued to show support for the protection of the green belt."