GALLERY | Lancs CCC’s South Ribble facility edges closer
A planning application has been submitted to create a year-round cricket facility that would host men’s and women’s fixtures and act as a training base for the club.
Designed by BDP, Lancashire County Cricket Club’s Farington complex would provide an alternative venue to Emirates Old Trafford on land off Stanifield Lane.
“With the amount of international and domestic cricket being held at Emirates Old Trafford, the need for a second ground has become pressing,” said Andy Anson, chair of Lancashire Cricket.
“This project is a hugely exciting collaboration between Lancashire Cricket and Lancashire County Council, with the aim of delivering a valuable asset for the local community, as well as high-quality professional facilities for the club in the heart of Lancashire.”
The project, located on Green Belt close to the M65 and M6, is being led by Lancashire County Council and aims to create a centre of excellence for women’s cricket in the North West.
A pavilion would be constructed between the two pitches. Credit: via planning documents
The complex would feature a pair of pitches, a pavilion, practice nets and a car park.
“This is a fantastic project that will create high-quality cricket facilities in the heart of the county, with a significant boost to our economy and new jobs,” said Cllr Phillippa Williamson, leader of the county council.
“These are exciting proposals and I’m especially pleased that these facilities would help to encourage more people to take part in sport, including younger people.”
As well as providing elite training facilities for the LCCC, the Farington facility will also be made available to the local community throughout the year, including local cricket clubs and schools.
The submission of a planning application for the project follows a consultation on the proposals held earlier this year.
As well as BDP, the project team for the complex features Eric Wirght Construction as contractor, Barton Willmore, now Stantec as planning consultant and Urban Green as landscape architect.
Andrew Capewell, architect director at BDP, said: “We are so happy to be working with LCCC on this project. The proposed second venue at Farington will fulfil the cricketing aspirations and needs of the county, providing a natural space for the sport that minimises the impact of the new interventions and preserves the open, green character of the area.
“The sensitively and sustainably-designed pavilion building will cater for daily use as a training centre of excellence and community social and events facility and provide scalable opportunities for match day events for up to 5,000 people. We are excited by all of the opportunities this will bring for local people and to the continued success of cricket in Lancashire.”
Click any image to launch gallery
- Credit: via planning documents
- Credit: via planning documents
- The centre will be a second home for LCCC. Credit: via planning documents
- Credit: via planning documents
- Credit: via planning documents
- Credit: via planning documents
Will this become the outground of choice then?
By Disgruntled Goat
What a lovely place to watch cricket, will be a nice drive out of Manchester
By Cal
Nice drive out to the cricket pitch surrounded by the logistics warehouses and polluting diesel lorries on the Cuerden Strategic Site/Lancashire Central. That scheme borders this.
Looks nice… yes… until they build on it.
By Katie
Transport links from Manchester for those few like me who don’t own a car ? I note that there is the Farington Household Waste Recycling Centre nearby – sounds like a fun place !
By Francis
To those asking about public transport, it’s within walking distance of both Leyland and Lostock Hall stations, or if you struggle walking, the regular 111 bus service connects both of those stations – as well as Preston station on the West Coast main line – to right outside the proposed site.
By Adrian