All weather cricket wickets to be created in Ashton

Two new all-weather cricket wickets are to be created in Ashton-under-Lyne to replace the loss of sports facilities from the sale of a former school site. 

Tameside's cabinet has agreed to install the artificial practice cricket facility at Ladysmith Cricket Club on Rose Hill Road at a cost of £40,000.

It comes as part of the conditions of selling the former Hartshead School site, which also included a commitment to refreshing the council’s playing pitch strategy and the development of a school sports facility strategy.

The former school site off Lees Road and Greenhurst Road was sold in September last year for £9.45m.

Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has now begun construction on 195 homes on the land, 15pc of which are to be classed as ‘affordable’.

The school buildings were demolished after Hartshead High School merged with Stamford High School in September 2008 and moved to a new building on Broadoak Road. 

The council’s director for growth Jayne Traverse told the cabinet meeting: “The terms of the sale of the disposal included an undertaking by the council to Sports England.

“The cost of delivering that commitment totals £78k.”

Ms Traverse added it was important that the council update its playing pitch strategy, and school sports strategy.

“An up to date strategy is critical with regards to residents and their wellbeing and to help us with the planning decisions around such matters,” she said.

It is proposed that two practice wickets be installed on the former tennis court at the Ladysmith Cricket Club site ‘bringing the area back in to productive use’.

However the installation is dependent on a planning application being successfully approved, which bosses say will be submitted this month.

If planning approval is granted then the installation will take place in March in readiness for the start of the 2021 cricket season.

Main image:

Ladysmith Cricket Club in Ashton-under-Lyne. Photo: Google Maps.