A town planning application file has been submitted for the creation of new quality sports facilities in the heart of the department.
Led by Lancashire County Council, the proposed development for Lancashire Cricket will bring together elite and community cricket at one site in Farington.
The aim is to establish a new year-round facility, which would host a number of competitive men’s and women’s matches each year, as an alternative to Emirates Old Trafford, while providing a new training base for the men’s teams. and women of Lancashire.
If the planning is approved, the new facility would become a center of excellence for women’s cricket in the North West, further encouraging the growth of cricket in the region.
County Councilor Phillippa Williamson, Leader of the County Council, said: “This is a fantastic project which will create high quality cricketing facilities in the heart of the county, with a significant boost to our economy and new jobs.
“These are exciting proposals and I am particularly pleased that these facilities are helping to encourage more people to play sport, including the youngest.”
As well as providing elite training facilities for the club, it will also be made available to the local community throughout the year, including local cricket clubs and schools.
The new facilities will help support additional opportunities for health and wellbeing, through active participation in sport and will help the Lancashire Cricket Foundation to deliver nationwide cricket programs such as All Stars Cricket (5- 8 years old) and Dynamos Cricket (8 years old -11).
As well as providing new sports facilities, the development will create up to 30 new jobs, as well as those generated during the construction process, in addition to additional training and skills opportunities.
The planning application has been submitted and validated by the county council, which will rule on the application in accordance with the government’s planning policy. The planning request is can be consulted on the departmental council’s planning portal.
It will be subject to consultation as part of the usual planning application process, with additional opportunities for people to comment.
Andy Anson, Chairman of Lancashire Cricket, added: “This project is an extremely exciting collaboration between Lancashire Cricket and Lancashire County Council, with the aim of providing a valuable asset to the local community, as well as high quality professional facilities. for the Club in the heart of Lancashire.
“With the number of international and domestic (men’s and women’s) crickets being staged at Emirates Old Trafford, the need for a second ground has become urgent. This is something we have been working on for some time and the new development will provide fantastic elite facilities for our teams and can also be used for recreational cricket and the wider community.
“We have made a number of changes to the plans following public consultation with local residents and we hope for a positive outcome to the request.”
A public consultation took place in December and January. Consultations have also taken place with representatives of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the national governing body for cricket.
The practice nets have been moved closer to the clubhouse building and will be at a lower level than Fowler Lane to reduce their visual impact, which also places the main structures and buildings together. Acoustic fences will help reduce the noise level from neighboring properties.
Owned by the County Council, the proposed site in Farington is along the A582 Farington Road, on the west side of Stanifield Lane, and a short distance from the M65 and M6.
The proposals have been sensitively and carefully designed to respect the green belt setting, both to preserve the open and green setting and to protect the amenity of neighboring residents.
New tree plantings, landscaping and green spaces will provide an attractive setting and screen local properties.
County Councilor Aidy Riggott, a cabinet member for Lancashire County Council’s Economic Development and Growth, said: “We announced the plans in December to get people’s input on the proposals. Since then we have have made changes to the practice nets, based on the feedback we have received, including from the ECB.
“Thank you to everyone who gave their input to shape these exciting plans. We have worked closely with the club to improve the proposals, so that they fit even more into the region.”
The site was identified as the preferred location after considering the necessary requirements for the new facility, including location, access and required space.
Learn more about the plans at www.lancashire.gov.uk/cricket
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