Banstead Cricket Club’s Plans for Modern Facilities Rejected by Slim Margin

Banstead Cricket Club, a historic Surrey cricket club, faced a setback in their plans to update their changing rooms and clubhouse as their proposal was rejected by a narrow margin. The club, which has been a part of the village for over 150 years, had hoped to modernize their facilities which were in a state of disrepair.

However, residents living near the club raised objections to the development citing concerns about the impact on the green belt. The issue came to a head during a meeting of the Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s planning committee, where members were evenly split on the decision. Ultimately, the chair of the committee cast the deciding vote against the proposal.

The club had argued that the current building, which was only meant to last 10 years, had been standing for over six decades and was in desperate need of an upgrade. They also highlighted the need for new facilities to accommodate the growing number of female players and to rent out space for events.

Despite receiving more letters of support than opposition during the consultation stage, the majority of the support came from outside the borough. The club chairman, Neil Bowman, expressed disappointment at the decision but acknowledged the need to meet modern standards.

The rejection of the proposal has left the club considering their next steps. With the future of their facilities hanging in the balance, Banstead Cricket Club will have to regroup and reassess their plans for the future. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.