Lancs CCC looks to Leyland for second home

The county cricket club has teamed up with Lancashire County Council on plans for a new year-round facility on the A582 Farington Road.

The proposed development is intended to bring together elite and community cricket at the site, which is subject to public consultation and planning approval.

Initial consultation is now open, ahead of an anticipated planning application early in 2022.

Located in South Ribble, the Farington site is currently agricultural. A short distance from the M65 and M6, the land is owned by the county council. It sits on the A-road on the west side of Stanifield Lane.

The proposals include two full-sized cricket pitches with natural sloping terraces and training facilities, including nets, a new pavilion including a gym, changing rooms, hospitality space, as well as cycle and car parking.

The intention is that the facility will become a Centre of Excellence for women’s cricket in the region, and that it would host men’s and women’s matches at times when Emirates Old Trafford is unavailable – which considering the international schedule, concert programme and games in The Hundred, is now significant.

Major matches would continue to be held at Old Trafford, but Farington could accommodate up to 5,000 spectators, the partners believe.

Farington would also provide a training base for Lancashire’s men’s and women’s teams from age group sides to first team level.

The club said that it will continue to use its other outgrounds once Farington opens.

T20 matches could house up to 5,000 fans. Credit: consultation documents

Although Blackpool CC and Southport & Birkdale CC have fallen out of favour in recent years, Liverpool CC’s Aigburth ground remains popular, while the stunning setting for recent games at Sedbergh School has won round some doubters who question the playing of Lancashire matches in Cumbria.

The plans were announced this week as part of the Stadium Business Summit taking place at Emirates Old Trafford.

Andy Anson, chair at Lancashire Cricket, said: “With the number of international and domestic matches, as well as other events being held at Emirates Old Trafford, the need for a second ground has become pressing.

“It’s something that we’ve been working on for a while and the new development will provide fantastic elite facilities for both our men’s and women’s side and can also be used for recreational cricket and the wider community.”

Cllr Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “We’re working in partnership with the club to make the most of this opportunity to support high-quality sports provision in Lancashire, while using the county council’s land to potentially provide a significant boost to our economy and create new jobs.”

With professional cricket across the country struggling to find players from outside private schools, Lancashire has an ambition to deliver a “Lancashire Cricket experience” into 1,000 state schools across the county by 2030.

At its headquarters, the club is also pressing ahead with expansion plans. This summer, it secured consent for an expansion project on the Red Rose side of the ground, including a second block for the on-site hotel and more stadim seating.