Cricket pitch and practice nets at Land East Of Stapleford Road, Trowell

What was proposed

The application proposed changing open land to a cricket pitch with practice nets, drainage, levelling and cricket-specific turf.

“Recommendation The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that planning permission be granted subject to conditions outlined in the appendix. Detail The application seeks full planning permission to change the use of the land to a cricket pitch, including the siting of practice nets.”

“The application seeks full planning permission for a change of use of land to cricket pitch, including siting of practice nets. The existing site is undeveloped open land. The works needed to change the use of land into a cricket pitch include installation of drainage to suit that of a cricket pitch, levelling out of the site, specifically the area of the cricket pitch and the installation of specific turf required for cricket pitches.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The 3.2-hectare site was unused open land beside a recreation area, football pitch, allotments, Boundary Brook and homes.

“The application site is 3.2 hectares in size, therefore, this is classed as a major planning application as it results in over 1 hectare of non-residential development. The application site, as existing, is open unused land, which was previously used for agricultural purposes. The current site is not level, which will be addressed as part of the proposal, with a flat surface required for cricket pitches to meet the ECB requirements.”

“To the east of the application site is a Broxtowe Park named Pit Lane Recreation Area, which is linked to the application site through the existing park path and public right of way. To the west of the application site is further undeveloped open land, which then leads to the adjacent road of Stapleford Road.”

Officer report

Why the site was needed

The proposal would relocate cricket provision from Hickings Lane Recreation Ground after permissions required replacement cricket facilities before the artificial pitch was used.

“This current application is related to the previous Broxtowe Borough Council planning applications at Hickings Lane Recreation Ground, Stapleford regarding the construction of the community leisure pavilion, the installation of the MUGA, replacement of skate park with community garden and the installation of the 3G Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) (planning reference numbers: 23/00051/REG3, 24/00863/VOC, 24/00175/REG3, 24/00864/VOC).”

“Planning permission for the application 24/00863/VOC was granted on 7 February 2025, with condition 8 stating that The development to which this relates shall be carried out in accordance with the cricket club relocation plan as approved by the Local Planning Authority 15/04/24.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval subject to conditions, concluding that the sports facility, drainage, access, amenity and ecological measures made the proposal acceptable.

“The design of the proposal is considered acceptable for the reasons outlined above. The proposal is considered unlikely to result in a significant impact in terms of amenity and access (highway safety) for the reasons outlined above. The proposal is considered unlikely to result in a significant impact in terms of ground contamination and flood risk for the reasons outlined above.”

“The negative impact of the proposal is that there will be an impact upon the existing habitats of the application site, with Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust raising concerns in respect of the completeness of the Preliminary Ecological Appraisal Report (PEAR) report.”

Officer report

What consultees and residents said

Residents mostly objected over flooding, traffic, wildlife, Green Belt effects, parking, noise and privacy, while several consultees raised no objection subject to conditions.

“Flooding in respect of the existing site and how the proposed development will affect this, the adjacent Boundary Brook and the adjacent neighbouring properties to the site • Traffic generation • Impact on wildlife • Green Belt impact…”

“Out of character within the surrounding open land currently used for walking and is occupied by wildlife. • Anti-social behaviour concerns due to area being left unmonitored • Is there a need for a cricket club in this location? • Query regarding whether the existing public right of way can be upgraded from a soil field trail to a paved or gravel path? The concern is the proposed cricket pitch development will exacerbate the existing mud problems on the public right of…”

Officer report

Who spoke

An opposing speaker and the ward member, Councillor D D Pringle, addressed the committee before its general debate.

What members debated

Members considered late information, possible great crested newts, flooding, the county council’s proposals and whether the location was suitable for cricket.

“The Committee noted the late items, including the potential presence of Great Crested Newts in Nottinghamshire Canal, and concerns regarding flooding and the suitability of a cricket pitch in this location.”

“The Committee debated the item giving due regard to the evidence before it. There was concern around risks of flooding and the impact of Nottinghamshire County Council’s proposals.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

Councillors proposed and seconded deferral, and the committee resolved to defer the application for more information about flooding risks.

“It was proposed by Councillor D D Pringle and seconded by Councillor D K Watts that the application be deferred to allow for further information to be gathered around flooding risks.”

“Reason To allow to allow for further information to be gathered around flooding risks.”

Minutes