Uncertain future for cricket in Bromley (From News Shopper)

Future of county cricket in Bromley uncertain as decision on Beckenham ground postponed

12:07pm Friday 18th November 2011 in Cricket By Rachel Conner

THE future of county cricket in the borough remains uncertain as councillors deferred their decision on whether to allow expansion at the Beckenham ground.

Kent County Cricket Club [KCCC] want to build 48 houses in the ground in Worsely Bridge Road to help them develop sporting facilities, and have said they will not renew their lease if they cannot find extra funding.

Councillors had widespread concern about building houses on metropolitan open land [MOL], which has the same status in planning law as green belt land, and the loss of four football pitches.

The proposals, which breach 12 council planning policies, include building an indoor cricket academy, a health and fitness centre, a spectator stand and a conference building.

Speaking as ward councillor for Copers Cope, Michael Tickner said: “If permission is given for these houses it will be creating a precedent for building on virgin open land. We need to be on guard about that.

“There are no very special circumstances to warrant putting aside so many policies.”

There were also questions asked about the future of cricket in the borough if KCCC withdraw from the ground.

John Canvin, councillor for Crystal Palace, said: “We invented the game in this country. We should be doing every single thing to encourage it.

"If we go down to Beckenham Cemetery we would see WG Grace turning in his coffin.”

Labour councillor John Getgood said: “If we don’t allow some sort of development what are we going to get?

"If we just have an area of land which is not looked after it will be an eyesore and detrimental to the area as a whole.”

The decision was deferred to allow councillors to re-look at the financial viability of reducing the number of houses and including affordable housing within the scheme.