Killinghall Cricket Club has been given the go-ahead to build a new two-storey pavilion.
North Yorkshire Council approved the club’s planning application today, after saying previous designs would have been too large and overbearing.
The decision paves the way for the demolition of the current 1970s building, which has two small changing areas and communal showers that give little privacy.
The club hopes the new pavilion will be more appealing to female players and umpires, who currently have to arrive in kit or get changed in the toilets or communal areas.
The current pavilion
Trevor Watson, assistant director of planning at the council, included a series of conditions attached to the decision.
They included that development must begin within three years and construction work can only take place between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Friday and from 8am to 3pm on Saturdays.
Killinghall finished fourth in division one of this year’s Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League.
Since the demolition of the Three Horseshoes pub and the long-term closure of The Greyhounds Inn, the club pavilion and bar has become a social centre for the village at weekends.
It hopes the new pavilion will enhance this and encourage junior players.
The club said in planning documents:
“This development is very much needed to the club and the village community.”
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Killinghall Cricket Club resubmits plan for new pavilion
Killinghall Cricket Club has applied to demolish its current “dilapidated” clubhouse and build a new two-storey pavilion that it says will be fit for the sport in the 21st century.
According to planning documents submitted to North Yorkshire Council, the current 1970s-era structure was made with single-skin brickwork and has poorly insulated single-glazed windows.
It has led to expensive running costs for the club, which plays in the Nidderdale league.
There are two small changing areas with communal showers, which offers little privacy and has discouraged players from using them.
Female cricketers and umpires have nowhere designated to get changed, so have to use communal areas, the toilets or come already changed.
The current pavilion in Killinghall.
The club submitted plans to build a larger pavilion in January but following feedback from a planning officer that it would be too large and overbearing, they have decided to submit a new application for a smaller building.
The latest plans, designed by KPP Architects, include a main function room that is connected to the kitchen, toilets and bar. A disabled toilet and shower will also be built on the ground floor.
The first floor will have two large changing rooms as well as a scorer’s board.
The previous design for the pavilion at Killinghall.
The current facilities for the scorers on match days are currently inside a wooden hut, which the club says is neither attractive nor very comfortable to sit in.
A players’ balcony will also be created for teams to watch the match.
Planning documents state the new pavilion will help grow the sport in Killinghall and offer a social space for villagers.
It says:
“The proposal brings improvements to the existing facilities beyond the applicant’s vision. The current clubhouse was built in the early 1970s, which is very evident when visiting. The proposal will provide exceptional changing and hosting facilities for visiting teams, which would be of the best in the current Killinghall teams leagues.
“There is a hope to introduce junior cricket back to the cricket club, that used to be a vibrant and engaging part of the local community. The introduction of these new facilities will help facilitate the introduction of this and hopefully attract them to the club.”
The council will make a decision on the proposal at a later date.
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Killinghall Cricket Club applies to build new two-storey pavilion
Killinghall Cricket Club has submitted plans to demolish its pavilion and construct a two-storey replacement on the same site.
Planning documents sent to Harrogate Borough Council describe the current 1970s structure as “deteriorating and neglected” and would cost more to refurbish than it is worth.
It is poorly insulated with ageing communal showers and the changing rooms lack privacy, the documents say. They add:
“Umpires and female cricketers currently have nowhere designated to get changed, so have to use communal areas, the toilets or come already changed. The facilities for the scorers on matchdays are currently a wooden hut situated next to the clubhouse, which is neither attractive nor very comfortable to sit in.”
Killinghall CC has been on the rise in recent years, Last year the team were crowned first division champions in the Nidderdale and District Cricket League.
The club has opened up its facilities to the public during summer.
Since the demolition of the Three Horseshoes pub and long-term closure of The Greyhounds Inn, the club has also used its pavilion and bar to provide a social centre for the village at weekends.
It hopes a new pavilion would help it fulfil this and encourage the creation of a junior team. The documents say:
“The proposal will provide exceptional changing and hosting facilities for visiting teams, which would be of the best in the current Killinghall teams’ leagues.
“There is a hope to introduce junior cricket back to the cricket club, that used to be a vibrant and engaging part of the local community. The introduction of these new facilities will help facilitate the introduction of this and hopefully attract them to the club.”
“This development is very much needed to the club and the village community. We feel that the scale of the pavilion is appropriate for the size of the site and has been carefully considered. The chosen materials and design compliment and contribute positively to the overall character of the pavilion, cricket ground and the surrounding village.”
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Killinghall cricket club keeps pub-less village spirit alive
A cricket club is fostering community spirit after the last remaining pub in the heart of the village closed.
For years, Killinghall CC players enjoyed an after-match pint at the Three Horseshoes on Ripon Road.
But the pub has been razed to the ground to make way for a Tesco Express and The Greyhounds nearby has been closed for years, leaving one of the biggest villages in the Harrogate district bereft of pubs.
So the club, which is on a promotion charge in division two of Nidderdale and District Amateur Cricket League, has been opening its bar on match days and welcoming villagers along.
The move has proved popular as a steady stream of locals, not all of whom know the difference between a googly and a bouncer, enjoy the sun and a drink on Saturday afternoons.
Harvey Radcliffe, the club secretary, said:
“It’s important for us to be part of the village community. We used to support the Three Horseshoes and when it died we saw an opportunity for us to keep the community spirit going.
“We only open the bar when we are at home on Saturdays at the moment but we are hoping to open it on Fridays and Sundays too later in the year.
“We are trying to get a junior section going. If we can get more people down it might encourage more juniors to come along and play.”
After a nervy one-wicket win last weekend away to Alne, the club is back at its home ground on Otley Road today when the bar will be open for the match against Thornton Watlass.
A recent match in Killinghall
Killinghall are currently third in the division as they aim to return to division one after a five-year hiatus.
The team will be hoping for fair weather and a good crowd for this weekend’s event.
Mr Radcliffe said:
“A cricket club is the perfect place for an outside socially distanced event.”
“There’s an old fashioned village feel. Cricket is a massive social event. Sports clubs are important.”
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