What's cricket speak for an "own goal"?

By Liam Murphy on Mar 4, 10 02:05 PM

WIRRAL Council is proposing to refuse an indoor cricket site in Bromborough that is expected to create jobs and help put the borough on the map for sports.

The scenario bears a striking resemblance to the planning department recommendation to refuse an indoor football centre last year.

On that occasion the councillors on the committee overturned the recommendation - a decision which was later endorsed by Government Office Northwest.

Again, planners have decided that "The proposal is unacceptable by reason of the proposed use within an industrial area, there is insufficient evidence to warrant overriding the current policies."

Ambitious plans to create the north of England's first specialist indoor cricket pitch, in Wirral, were submitted to the council late 2009.

The scheme, by leisure company Eight4Sport, is backed by a number of cricket development bodies including the ECB, Indoor Cricket England, Cheshire Cricket Board and local clubs.

They hope to develop a site in Candy Park, Bromborough, and, as well as three dedicated indoor cricket pitches, nets and practice lanes, also aim to provide facilities for other sports, including indoor netball.

Eight for Sport director, South African-born Oliver MacPherson, said they hoped this would be the first in a network of centres.

The plans for the indoor all-weather cricket facility on a Bromborough business park have also been backed by Wirral Chamber of Commerce.

The Chamber of Commerce met recently with prospective operators Eight4Sport to discuss plans for the exciting new cricket facility.

Chamber CEO, Ken Davies, said his organisation was delighted to support progressive new business ventures in the Wirral particularly developments that are forging ahead in challenging economic times.

Ken Davies said: "This site is located in a part of Wirral where the Council has identified a need for improved and additional sports and recreation facilities.

"This is an exciting development that will create jobs and also add something unique to Wirral's sporting and leisure offer. The site has been vacant for over two years and we very much welcome a proposal that will bring it into active and productive use.

"The Chamber of Commerce will always encourage and welcome progressive new businesses to the Wirral and hope for their success."

Eight4Sport have already pledged to work with Wirral Council to maximise training and employment opportunities for local young people.

The plan already has backing from local Ward Councillors, Steve Niblock and adjacent businesses, who believe it will help re-animate Bromborough's Candy Park area, and is due to be heard at planning committee on March 11.