Banstead Cricket Club Faces Rejection for Clubhouse and Changing Room Update

Banstead Cricket Club’s plans to upgrade its changing rooms and clubhouse have hit a roadblock as the proposal was rejected by a narrow margin. The Surrey-based club, which has been a part of the village for over 150 years, aimed to modernize its outdated facilities to cater to the growing needs of its members and the community.

However, objections from residents living near the club raised concerns about the impact of the development on the green belt area. The chair of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s planning committee had to make the final decision as members were evenly split on the matter.

The current building, which was only meant to last for 10 years, has been standing for over six decades, prompting the club to seek new facilities that could also be rented out for events. With the increasing participation of girls and women in cricket, there was also a need for improved changing rooms to accommodate them.

Despite receiving more letters of support than opposition during the consultation phase, the majority of the support came from outside the borough. Objectors argued that the proposed two-storey development would be an eyesore in the green belt area and raise concerns about noise and traffic for nearby residents.

Club chairman Neil Bowman expressed disappointment at the decision but acknowledged the need to upgrade the facilities to meet modern standards. The club is now considering its next steps following the rejection of the plans.

As the future of Banstead Cricket Club’s facilities hangs in the balance, the community awaits to see how the club will navigate this setback and continue to serve its members and the local cricketing community.