Kent buoyed by Beckenham ground redevelopment approval
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Crowds pictured at Beckenham during a rain shower in
last season's Twenty20 clash against Gloucestershire at the Worsley
Bridge Road ground. Picture: Barry Goodwin.
by Glenn Pearson
Kent's long-term future at Beckenham has been
secured after Bromley Council granted outline planning permission
for the redevelopment of the County Ground.
The club had threatened to pull out as the operator of the
ground having lost money ever since taking over the lease in 2002,
but it's hoped an ambitious redevelopment, which includes an
all-weather hockey pitch, indoor training centre, permanent
spectator seating and a small conference facility will generate new
revenue streams.
Funding for the improved facilities is to be raised through
enabling development which will see houses built on the Worsley
Bridge Road site.
Kent's chief executive, Jamie Clifford, said: “I am delighted
that Bromley Council have approved our scheme. We have been
determined to secure a long-term base in the Greater London area
for the county and this decision brings that hope a step
closer.
"The cricketing county of Kent covers a very big land area and
we have always been keen to take cricket to all parts of the
county. Most importantly, I now look forward to establishing a
thriving sporting centre of excellence, that will help us
considerably in the development of talented young cricketers.”
Thursday night's decision came at the same time as
Canterbury City Council agreed to loan the club £1.5 million to
complete the second phase of the redevelopment of the St Lawrence
Ground.
It comes on the back of a £4 million loan the council had
already lent the club.
Mr Clifford said: “The support from the City Council is helping us
in our desire to create a long-term, financially stable future in
Canterbury – with a ground everyone can be proud of.
"This news, coupled with the recent signing of a long-term deal
with Sainsbury’s leaves the project in very good shape. The
final piece of the jigsaw is the development of a 130-bedroom hotel
and discussions on this are progressing well too.”
Saturday, January 14 2012
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