Stapleford Cricket Club has finally secured a permanent home after receiving official approval for a brand-new, dedicated ground. The decision marks the end of a long search and paves the way for a significant community sports facility to be built on former farmland.
A New Chapter for Community Cricket
The club's move was necessitated by the need to vacate its shared space at Hickings Lane, which will become the site of Stapleford's landmark Community Pavilion. The newly approved site, located off Pit Lane between Stapleford and Trowell, will provide the club with its own long-term future. The project is a key component of the wider £21.1 million Stapleford Towns Fund investment, aimed at revitalising local sports and recreation.
Ian Jowett, Chair of the Stapleford Towns Fund Board, expressed his delight: “We’re so pleased that planning permission has been granted and we can now get cracking.” He emphasised that building a solid future for the cricket club has been a core priority of the regeneration programme.
Facilities and Timeline for the New Ground
The future ground will be a high-quality facility designed to nurture local talent. Plans include:
- Eight adult cricket wickets and two junior wickets.
- Modern cricket practice nets to support player development.
Construction is scheduled to begin this Spring, starting with essential drainage and flood resilience work. Once the ground is levelled and seeded, the pitches will need time to mature to a professional standard. If weather conditions are favourable, the club anticipates playing its first matches at the new home in Summer 2027.
Until the move, the team will continue to play at Beeston Fields Recreation Ground with ongoing support from the Town Fund.
Securing a Long-Term Future
While the pitches are the immediate focus, work is advancing on a separate planning application for a permanent cricket pavilion. This facility is seen as essential for the club to secure future grant funding and expand its membership. A temporary pavilion will be provided on-site to ensure operations can continue during construction of the permanent building.
Tim Lewis, Treasurer of Stapleford Cricket Club, highlighted the importance of the approval: “It means we, as a club, can now have a clear vision in moving forward.” The agreement, supported by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and Broxtowe Borough Council’s Town Fund team, has been widely praised by residents and players as a major step forward for the town's sporting heritage.
