Update 4th July: Chiddingfold Parish Council provides £30,000 towards the planning costs.
Facilities
The facility will include two cricket grounds, a modern pavilion, practice nets, parking and an access road.
The Grounds
The Club plans to create two cricket grounds positioned on the westerly upper 2.5 hectares of the site. The larger ‘senior’ ground will have a 45m boundary, and be closer to the pavilion, the smaller ‘junior’ ground will have a 38m boundary.
Recontouring of the site is required, however, this is possible without material being moved on or off-site. State-of-the-art drainage will ensure the playing surfaces are of the highest quality and resilient to climate change. The cricket grounds and sustainable facilities will sit within a stunning natural environment.
Pitches
The installation of non-turf pitches is seen as a vital element in delivering the volume of cricket anticipated at the new facility while keeping ground preparation and maintenance costs to a minimum. Elite cricket is played on grass pitches, and the senior ground will include a 6-wicket grass square initially.
Pavilion
The heart of a cricket ground is its pavilion. The northwest-positioned modern pavilion, with exposed timber frames, britmet metal tiled roof, natural larch cladding, red brickwork plinth and clock tower feature, will sit aesthetically within the surrounding landscape.
The 71m² spacious Club room with bar will include excellent views over both grounds. It will be able to host social functions and provide refreshments for players and spectators.
Two large changing rooms configured in line with ECB guidance will provide comfortable facilities for home and away players. Two officials' changing rooms are planned, to accommodate mixed umpiring.
The modern kitchen will provide the capacity for the Club to provide a level of catering for dinners and events.
The storage space for ground and cricket equipment lacking at the Club’s Woodside Road Ground will be in abundance.
Practice Nets
A four-bay modern practice net will provide extensive training capacity in a safe environment.
Parking
Accessable off the A283 Petworth road, ample parking will allow the Club to host tournaments and run smoothly on busy match days.
Suitable for other community groups
The pavilion will include a large clubroom area, suitable for other community groups to use in addition to the cricket club.
Sustainability
One of the central aims of the facility is to be environmentally sustainable. It is CCC’s view that this is a prerequisite for a facility built to cater to the demand for cricket over the rest of the 21st century. Environmental credentials include:
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Constructed with sustainable building materials
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Carbon saving from less travel by Chiddingfold players to 'home' matches at third-party grounds
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Solar panels on the pavilion's western-facing roof
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Electric car chargers
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Rainwater harvesting and reuse
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Potenital for tree planting or rewilding on the unused lower 1.5 hectares of the site.
