Brightlingsea Cricket Club has gained planning permission for a new clubhouse and outdoor sports facility on the Bayard Recreation Ground.

The £500,000 development could see the demolition of the existing clubhouse and a new building on the site of the nearby storage and toilet block.

The club says the new facility will help to replace community space lost in the town over the last few years, such as the St James’ church hall and the Brightlingsea Sports Centre. It will include a larger social or activity area and kitchen, along with modern changing facilities, including separate rooms for female players and officials.

The single storey building will be fully accessible and feature solar panels, a heat pump and grey water recycling. The facility will be held in a deed of trust for the community within the Cricket Club’s Charitable status, ensuring that it will continue to provide for sporting and non-sporting groups in the town. 

The club says it is working in partnership with Brightlingsea Regent and Colne Athletic football clubs to host a range of sporting activities and would like to hear from other community groups that may want to use the new clubhouse.  The club can be contacted here.