Cricket club bats to planning win

BBC News

15th June 2007

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41445000/jpg/_41445398_entancesquare.jpg
Artist's impressions show how the
ground could look in the future

The redevelopment of a cricket ground, including the addition of a hotel, conference centre and new housing, has been approved by council planners.

Kent County Cricket Club's proposals for its St Lawrence ground were passed by Canterbury City Council on Thursday.

Local residents had objected, fearing their quality of life would be adversely affected by the developments.

But the club argued that new ways of making money would secure the future of county cricket in Canterbury.

John Brooks and Bill Burnett, both members of the cricket club who also live behind the ground in St Lawrence Forstal, are concerned about an increase in traffic and visual changes in their area.

"The traffic from the hotel and additional housing will have a significant effect on the whole of south Canterbury," Mr Burnett said.

Contd.........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6755733.stm