Current Cricket Club Site

Our current site has served us well, but to secure a brighter future we need to relocate to a new facility. Financially, the club cannot afford new facilities without the development of residential dwellings on the existing pitch. This development will cross-fund the new facilities, with any surplus allocated to cover unforeseen costs during the transition. Below you can view the reasons we need to relocate along with the residential site proposal on our current club site and the benefits associated with this.

Why Relocate?​

Our current pitch and playing facilities are not fit for purpose for the following reasons:

Health and Safety:

Historically there were very few residential properties surrounding the club. However, residential development has been built adjacent to the club’s boundary in the past 20 years and there is no longer sufficient distances between the wicket and site boundaries. As a result, the matches pose a health and safety hazard for existing residents which surround the site. Solutions have been investigated such as erecting nets. While the nets reduce the impact of ball strikes to some extent, they cannot guarantee 100% protection. Due to space constraints, the Cricket Club cannot expand to support all the cricket activities at the ground, including Women’s, Junior and Senior Men’s cricket, Local Knockout, and Girls Cricket. Additionally, the club lack the financial resources to maintain the nets over the long term.

The impacts of this situation have been discussed with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and a Boundary Risk Assessment has been carried out with a supporting diagram that illustrates the impact on the surrounding dwellings. 

Ball hitting distances at 63.7m

Community Engagement:

The current location provides little access and opportunities for community events and local engagement. The outdated and deteriorating clubhouse does not provide the necessary facilities and amenities, further limiting its viability as an event venue.

Facilities:

The current clubhouse is in a state of disrepair and in need of modernisation to attract new players and retain existing members. 

There is insufficient parking and sustainability infrastructure such as electric vehicle charging points and bicycle storage facilities.

Knight, Kavanagh & Page prepared a ‘Playing Pitch & Outdoor Sport Strategy’ (January 2024) on behalf of Cheshire East Council. This confirmed that Aston Cricket Club’s ancillary facilities are ‘poor’, the lowest rating possible based on the methodology.

Extract from Playing Pitch & Outdoor Sport Strategy

Residential Site Proposal

Muller Property Group have undertaken an initial scoping exercise on the 1.23ha (3.03 acres) site showing a proposed layout for residential development to cross-fund the new facilities.

The indicative designs demonstrate scope for up to 43 residential dwellings designed around a community green with public open space, private gardens, parking, external landscaping enhancements and associated highways infrastructure. 

A new residential development would include:

  • 43 Residential Dwellings comprising of 1 & 2 bed apartments, 2 & 3 bed townhouses, and 3 & 4 bed semi detached homes
  • 30% affordable homes, in line with Cheshire East Council Policy SC 5 
  • Outdoor public open spaces and private gardens with a central community green
  • Landscaping improvements across the site, with additional shrub and tree planting
  • Maintaining the existing access off Sheppenhall Lane as a footpath link into the site to preserve accessibility & connectivity
  • Deliver a new access road into the site off Sheppenhall Grove 
  • New areas of off road parking

The layout aligns with the principles of the Cheshire East Council design guide, and will incorporate a palette of materials that complement the wider site location.

Additionally, the scheme includes a provision of 30% affordable homes, in line with Policy SC 5 that requires affordable housing is provided for developments of 15 or more homes in Cheshire East.

Payment of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and delivering broader community benefits such as Public Open Space, S106 contributions to education, healthcare, and sports facilities will be reviewed in consultation with Cheshire East Council alongside the planning application. 

*Indicative proposals are subject to Local Authority approval.

*Indicative proposal of suggested house types - for illustration purposes only

Residential Site Benefits

There are a number of benefits associated with the proposals which would not be realised in the absence of the development.

Housing and Economic Need

  • The Council need to deliver a significant supply of housing to boost delivery nationally, and assist in meeting the Government’s 300,000 homes per year target.
  • The Council need to increase the supply of employment land which is directly linked to substantial levels of housebuilding. This allows future employees to live and work in Cheshire East, rather than the leakage of potential residents to neighbouring authorities which also encourages unsustainable patterns of travel.
  • Housing need figures are minimum figures, and the Council should plan positively to deliver the maximum level of housing which can be sustainably located and is linked to the levels of jobs created and the need to create truly sustainable communities in the long term.

Affordable Housing 

  • Hampering housing delivery will directly reduce the level of affordable housing which is intensely needed in the Borough.
  • Development of the site will meet Local Plan Policy SC 5 that requires affordable housing is provided for developments of 15 or more homes in Cheshire East.

New Amenities

  • Payment of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), and delivering broader community benefits such as Public Open Space, S106 contributions to education, healthcare, and sports facilities will be reviewed in consultation with Cheshire East Council alongside the planning application. 

Social Benefits

  • Cheshire East need to deliver the right mix and type of accommodation in the Borough to accommodate the needs of its residents.
  • Providing more housing in the local area will support social networks. Older residents living in the area can downsize to more suitable accommodation which caters to their needs, and frees up larger housing stock in the Borough. First time buyers can afford to buy where they grew up, and growing families can move into larger homes.
  • Secure a brighter future for Aston Cricket Club and allow us to relocate to a new facility, guaranteeing that cricket will thrive in Aston for generations.

Employment & Spending

  • The proposed development of the site will generate employment opportunities during the construction phase of the new homes. 
  • Additionally, it is recognised that new residents in new housing lead to an increase in spending in the local economy which can help to boost activity in high streets and support local jobs and businesses.

Public Open Space

  • As part of the proposals, the applicant is seeking to provide financial contributions within the local community for enhancement of existing public open space. The exact location, format and type is subject to further consultation, and identification of local needs.

We value the opinions and insights of our community

provide feedback

Scope of Submission​

Going forward a comprehensive design and technical team have been tasked with reviewing and advising on the development proposals for the site. 

The planning application is anticipated to be informed by the following disciplines:

Air Quality
Archaeology
Biodiversity Net Gain
Assessment of Noise Impacts
Contaminated Land
Ecology & Wildlife
Energy and Sustainability
Flood Risk and Drainage
Landscape and Visual Impact
Footpath Connectivity & Pedestrian and Cycle Accessibility
Transport & Traffic