A historic cricket ground in Wigan has submitted plans to replace their dilapidated clubhouse and build five new homes on the site in order to save their club.
Standish Cricket Club’s pavilion was in desperate need of renovation, then it suffered flood damage back in 2021 - which has made the situation dire. The money generated from a land sale would generate funds to provide new cricket nets, new cricket pavilion including a function room and bar area as well as a revamp of the car park with 27 spaces.
The current state of the clubhouse means that they cannot provide changing facilities for teams or host private functions such as weddings and parties.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link
The Green Lane site has exhausted all means of raising the money to create a new clubhouse and nets - which are essential to stopping members leaving. In agreement with housing developer Pearson Quality Homes, one plot of land was sold in order to fund the rebuild.
The potential five new two-storey homes described as ‘bespoke family accommodation’ could be built next to the cricket grounds.
The club have claimed that their 146-year history could be quickly brought to a halt if this proposal does not receive the green light from Wigan Council.
“Without the land disposal, the sums involved for the proposed redevelopment project are so significant, they are prohibitively expensive, to the extent that the club’s 146-year history and ongoing existence are in serious doubt,” Standish Cricket Club said in a statement. “In addition to the cricket pavilion, the club’s practice facilities are presently one of the worst resources in the Wigan and District Junior Cricket League, such that a number of promising young players from the village have left the club to join other neighbouring clubs with better facilities.
“More specifically, the club has in fact only one AstroTurf practice wicket, supplemented by two mobile roll-on/roll-off batting cages, which are wholly inadequate for the five junior teams and two senior teams the club presently operates.”
It is hoped that this could pavilion overhaul could create new jobs and make the business more financially viable by providing private event functions while attracting more members. The new nets will help ensure Standish Cricket Club attracts new members when they are considering which club to join, a planning statement said.
Due to other clubs in the area having much better facilities, Standish cannot compete with them at the moment. The improved playing and social facilities, if the plans are approved, are ‘expected to put Standish Cricket Club on the map’, developers believe.
There are fears that, like the previously withdrawn application for 63 homes on the grounds, this land could become a new residential site if the club vanished. The club have pleaded with the residents of Standish to get behind this proposal so they do not lose this club forever.
Standish Cricket Club’s statement continued: “Whilst the club acknowledges the proposal for further house building however modest may be unwelcome, it will in fact be only three additional dwellings as the developer previously had permission for two houses on land abutting the club. Sadly, if the proposal is rejected, it will hasten the end of cricket in the village of Standish, and it is likely the entire ground will be lost to future housing development.
“Therefore, we would ask that the village of Standish support the proposal so that cricket at Green Lane can continue for the next 100 years, and community events such as the Beer Festival and Pub Sixes can be resurrected, and the annual Fireworks Display can continue.”
No final permission has been granted by Wigan Council so far, but it is likely to be decided in the coming months.
Read more of today's top stories here.
READ NEXT:
