Approval for Lancashire CCC centre of excellence
Subject to final sign-off by the Secretary of State, the county cricket club’s plans for an alternative venue to Emirates Old Trafford can go ahead.
As well as providing Lancashire County Cricket Club with a second home, the Farington complex would house a centre of excellence for women’s cricket in the North West.
Designed by BDP, the development would be constructed on Green Belt land off Stanifield Lane close to the M65 and M6 in South Ribble.
The complex would feature a pair of pitches, a pavilion, practice nets, and a car park.
In addition to providing elite training facilities for the club, it will also be made available to the local community, including local cricket clubs and schools.
Cllr Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is an exciting time for this fantastic project with the approval of the planning permission in principle for a first-class cricket ground in the heart of Lancashire.”
Now that the county council has granted planning approval for the project, the scheme will be referred to the Secretary of State who will decide whether or not to call it in.
The centre will be a second home for LCCC. Credit: via planning documents
“As well as providing new jobs and a significant boost to our economy, creating these fantastic facilities will support recreational cricket as we encourage more people to take part in and enjoy the sport as well as wider community use,” Williamson added.
“We now await the Secretary of State’s decision on this project.”
Andy Anson, chair at Lancashire Cricket, said: “We are delighted that the application for the cricket facility at Farington has been supported by the planning committee.
“With the number of international and domestic cricket matches, as well as other events, being held at Emirates Old Trafford, the need for a second ground has become vital.”
He added: “The development will be a first of its kind in domestic cricket and we look forward to seeing work start on the site over the course of the year.”
As well as BDP, the project team for the complex features Eric Wright Construction as contractor, Barton Willmore, now Stantec as planning consultant, and Urban Green as landscape architect. Urban Green also advised on arboriculture, biodiversity net gain, and landscape planning.
Terrible decision. Building on green belt. No consideration of residents who’ll suffer with street parking due to a lack of spaces in the development. Good luck rerouting that pylon and the electricity wires that run across the site.
By Katie
Oh dear. What a mistake. The wrong location.
By John
It’s great that LCCC brings games to out-grounds like Blackpool – it will be sad if this poorly located development brings an end to that.
By Tom
So we can’t use the green belt for desperately needed homes, but we can accommodate a cricket club who need a second ground because their principal venue is too busy during the peak summer with revenue-generating concerts. (e.g. 2022: June was effectively removed from the cricket calendar due to 4 nights of performance).
By Anonymous
Sad because Old Trafford will become a venue for international cricket and pop concerts only, with maybe a few of the more popular LCCC 20/20 matches. Will no longer be considered the home of LCCC
By Tail ender
Wow, NIMBYs don’t even like tastefully designed cricket pitches. Have to echo some others here in that it’s clear that commercially LCCC appear to have become an events management business with a cricket club attached. A bit sad.
By Rich X
@Rich X nothing wrong with the design except the location it’s being built on – green belt. 500 parking spaces – 5000 visitors for the men’s game in a residential area. Where are they parking?
By Katie