W/26/0125Planning Application W/26/0125

Demolition of the existing equipment store, removal of existing cricket nets, and erection of a replacement equipment store and cricket nets, together with associated works. Kenilworth Cricket Club (KCC) has called Warwick Road home since 1903 and is widely regarded as a valued and long-established part of the local community. As with most community sports clubs, there is an ongoing need to maintain and enhance facilities in order to sustain the club?s vitality and long-term viability, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit in the same way as previous ones. The proposals align with national and local planning policy objectives which seek to protect and enhance sports facilities, promote healthy lifestyles, and support community infrastructure. The development will safeguard and improve an established sporting use, ensuring it remains accessible, functional, and fit for purpose. With this in mind, KCC has developed proposals for a new three-lane cricket net facility and a replacement equipment store. The existing practice nets are no longer fit for purpose, being in poor condition and in need of replacement. In addition, the club?s growing and thriving junior and senior sections mean that the current arrangement is insufficient to meet the needs of existing members. The introduction of improved nets is critical to supporting the continued development of the club?s junior section, providing safe, high-quality training facilities that encourage participation in organised sport and enable KCC to accommodate additional junior players. This will deliver clear social and economic benefits for the local community and strengthen the long-term sustainability of the club. Furthermore, the existing garage-style equipment store is no longer adequate to meet the operational needs of the club. Its relocation and improved specification are necessary to support the day-to-day functioning of the cricket ground, providing ground staff with appropriate and secure storage for equipment in a more suitable location. This will enable more effective maintenance of the pitch and associated facilities, directly contributing to the quality, safety, and continued use of the ground. The proposals represent a modest and proportionate enhancement of existing facilities within the established cricket ground and do not introduce a new or intensified use. As such, they will not give rise to any material adverse impacts in terms of traffic, noise, or residential amenity. Overall, the development delivers clear public benefits through the enhancement of community sports infrastructure, support for health and wellbeing, and the long-term protection of a valued local asset. Given the limited scale of development and the absence of any material planning harm, the proposals represent sustainable development and should be supported accordingly.

W/26/0125