Wirral Council urged to back plan for indoor cricket centre in Bromborough

Mar 10 2010 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

The application has had 33 letters of support submitted to the council, listing the potential community benefit, promotion of active lifestyles and all year provision of sports as reason for allowing the proposals.

However, the planning department report concluded: “The proposal is unacceptable by reason of the proposed use within an industrial area, there is insufficient evidence to warrant overriding the current policies.”

Last year, the planning department had recommended plans for an indoor football centre nearby also be refused, but this was overturned by the planning committee, a decision subsequently endorsed by the Government Office for the North West.

The cricket plans have also been backed by Wirral Chamber of Commerce, which met recently with prospective operators Eight4Sport.

Chamber CEO, 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 Wirral and hope for their success.”

The developers say that, if approved, the sports facility will create up to 12 full-time jobs.