West Northamptonshire Borough Council has agreed to lease a piece of land to the Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for a new cricket facility at Moulton.
The club's main venue will be expanded to address the lack of professional-level facilities in the county.
The draft plans include a central pavilion shared by two full-size pitches, an outdoor practice square, and a six-lane indoor training area. This expansion will support the rapid growth of women's and girls' cricket in Northamptonshire, increase opportunities for people with disabilities, and act as a purpose-built hub for junior and pathway cricket.
Northamptonshire Chief Executive Ray Payne said that this is an exciting milestone in a project that they have been working on for some time.
The county has experienced significant growth in cricket, particularly in the women's game and disability cricket, which has put pressure on existing facilities.
The new venue will serve as a hub for the development of women's and girls' cricket in all formats, including softball festivals and junior leagues. It will also provide a consistent venue for pathway cricket. The professional men's setup and club offices will remain at The County Ground, which has been the proud home of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club since 1886.
Payne expressed confidence that a new facility would greatly benefit women and girls' cricket in Northamptonshire, leading to a significant improvement in the quantity and quality of cricket played in the county.
Payne also stated that they are eager to consult with residents and collaborate with partners to create a proposal that promotes community engagement through cricket.
The project offers a unique opportunity to bring together participation and performance disability cricket in Northamptonshire. By consulting closely with disability sport experts, the centre aims to meet all ECB and Sport England guidance and standards.
Gavin Warren, the Chairman of NCCC, expressed his pride in the club's prudent governance and commercial growth, which have enabled it to achieve an enviable level of financial security.
He emphasised the need to invest in facilities to expand the club's reach into communities across Northamptonshire and surrounding counties, thereby increasing opportunities for everyone to play.
The Club will now consult with residents to determine the next stage of the project. Proposals will be tested through the planning process and local licensing regimes.