South Holderness Cricket Club (SHCC) have completed the works to their ground at Middle Lane, Hedon, using £8,245 awarded to them by East Riding of Yorkshire Council as part of *Commuted Sums accrued from local housing developments.
South Holderness Cricket Club was established in 1882 and currently involves 25 senior members. The funding award covered paying for measures to treat trees that were overhanging the pitch, the purchase a new mobile net cage and to refurbish the artificial wicket.
The four ash trees dangerously overhung the pitch, clubhouse and spectator areas and required pollarding to make the ground much safer for players and spectators. Pollarding is a method of pruning that keeps trees and shrubs smaller than they would naturally grow. The new mobile net cage will be used by all players on practice nights, as it can be used on both the artificial and grass wickets and replaces a 10-year-old cage that was in poor condition. The artificial wicket, which was also 10 years old and in poor condition, will be used for Junior matches.
Mike Oliver, the Chairman SHCC, commented: “I would just like to say that everything went smoothly with the Commuted Sums grant, even with the Covid 19 delay; we managed to just get done in time for the restart of recreational cricket.
“It has already made a massive difference; the trees no longer pose a Health and Safety threat, and the Artificial Wicket and new Mobile Net have already had plenty of use from both Junior and Senior members in the two weeks since they were completed.
“We now have the latest up to date training and playing facilities that will benefit everyone at our club for years to come.
“Thank you to Lea Anne Wright, Commuted Sums Manager at the council, for all your help in making this project come to life, from everyone at South Holderness Cricket Club.”
Councillor Gary McMaster, the portfolio holder for enhancing communities, said : “I am delighted we have been able to facilitate these much-needed improvements at South Holderness Cricket Club through commuted sums provided by local housing developments as a condition of their planning approval. I wish the Club all the best for the future.”
*Commuted Sums explained: Developers are required to provide Outdoor Playing Space as part of all new residential developments above a certain size. This requirement is highlighted in the East Riding Local Plan, supported by the Supplementary Planning Document.
Outdoor Playing Space is specified as space that is available for sport, active recreation or children’s play. Space must be of a suitable size and design for its intended purpose, accessible and available to the general public.
When a developer cannot provide this within the development itself, a sum of money known as a commuted sum may be paid in lieu of this, by the developer entering into an agreement under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
