A SOLIHULL borough cricket club has submitted plans for a major expansion.
The historic Dorridge Cricket Club has been playing at the John Woolman cricket ground on Grange Road in the village since 1952.
But as the club has grown over the last 25 years, its facilities have proven increasingly insufficient.
It has been forced to lease a second ground in Grove Lane, Lapworth, to help accommodate its three senior teams – and its 250 plus junior members.
But the ground is remote with very basic facilities and no mains electricity.
The club says investment there is not realistic given its short five-year lease.
The plans submitted to Solihull Council would see four acres of farmland next to the club’s ground become a new pitch.
It also includes plans for a new changing facility.
The club says it hopes the pitch will be playable by 2022.
But the plans hinge on securing a grant from the England and Wales Cricket Board – the sport’s national governing body.
General manager Ed McCabe says the club is optimistic about the grant while the Warwickshire Cricket Board has identified the project as its ‘number one’ priority in 2020.
The council owns the area of farmland, he says, but has been leasing to Hatton Estates for ‘agricultural purposes’.
If the grant is successful, the club will seek to agree a lease for change of use with the council soon after.
The club says it aims to start ground works next July.
Mr McCabe said: “The cricket club has already made a financial investment in the project by way of ground works specification and a specialist survey plus a considerable number of man hours in preparation of our plans.
“Our aim has already gained widespread support from within the cricket community.”
