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FUTURE OF INTERNATIONAL CRICKET NOW IN DOUBT

12 January 2012

Council decision puts future

of international cricket in doubt

A decision by Bristol City Council’s Planning Committee to reject proposals for redevelopment at Gloucestershire County Cricket Club’s Bristol ground will make it almost impossible for the Club to remain in the City claim cricket bosses. 

The proposals, which have received widespread public support, included a range of modern facilities to get the Club up to current ECB standards.  This would have been funded by a residential development of apartments neighbouring the ground, and the proposals were the result of extensive public consultation.

Rejection from City politicians by six votes to four will mean that the redevelopment cannot go ahead and the City will lose its only International sporting venue.

“We are bitterly disappointed by this decision” said the Club’s Chief Executive, Tom Richardson. “This decision means that the International cricket programme in Bristol now stops and will be lost forever.  Furthermore, our overall future in Bristol is also in doubt.  It is no secret that Gloucester would be very keen to have us.  The funding from the development will be lost and the City risks losing what could be its only sports stadium. We need to consider our options, but time is running out.”

Rex Body, GCCC Chairman, echoed that this was a bitterly disappointing decision for the Club.  He added “that no decision has yet been reached in regard to an appeal, but this is being considered by the Club and will be discussed at a forthcoming Board Meeting.”

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