FAQs

Great Bentley Cricket Club FAQs

How long has cricket been played at Great Bentley?

Over 250 years, and we hope to continue playing cricket at Great Bentley for another 250 years.

Did the Club approach Hills Group?

No, Hills Group approached us after seeing the need for enhanced community facilities in Great Bentley. We have been proactive and worked with Hills to design a facility that can meet the needs of the Club and community.

Have you looked at refurbishing the existing pavilion?

We have outgrown the current pavilion and are unable to provide accessible or female changing facilities within the current footprint of the pavilion.

Have you been in discussion with the Parish Council?

We have yet to discuss the application with the Parish and District Council. At this stage, we are seeking your support as the existing users of the pavilion.

Have you been in discussion with Tendring Council?

We have yet to discuss the application with the Parish and District Council. At this stage, we are seeking your support as the existing users of the pavilion.

Why do we need new facilities?

We have outgrown the current pavilion, which is no longer fit for the cricket club’s needs. These new facilities will allow year round access to cricket nets and other indoor sports.

The new facility will also provide benefits for the local community through:

  • The opportunity for local schools engagement

  • New bar and catering facilities

  • Versatile space for events and meeting rooms

What are you proposing?

A new purpose-built contemporary cricket pavilion. This will include a new indoor cricket and sports Academy that can be used all year round.

What will happen to the old pavilion?

The Club will continue to use the old pavilion and play cricket on the green.

Will the Club continue to play cricket on the Green?

The Club will continue to use the old pavilion and play cricket on the green.

What will the indoor facilities be?

It is proposed that there will be indoor cricket nets, and a multi-use facility. These facilities include new bar and catering facilities and versatile space for events and meeting rooms.

Will the Club continue to play cricket on the Green?

The Club will continue to use the old pavilion and play cricket on the green.

Will other sports clubs in the village, like the football club, be able to use the facilities?

Whilst this is predominantly a cricket facility but other sports that can take place indoors (such as football) will also be able to use the facility.

What are the benefits of the new pavilion?

A new pavilion will allow the club to grow and ensure equality of access for women and disabled people. At present there are no accessible or female changing spaces.

Are there plans for pavilion use when cricket is not being played?

Yes, it is envisaged that there will be versatile rooms available for events, meetings and community gatherings.

Will the village benefit from this facility?

Yes, it is intended that the new facilities will be available for the wider local community.

Will there be a bar and catering facilities?

Yes, a modern purpose built catering and beverage offer is part of the plans.

Will parking be provided?

Yes, there will be some parking provided.

Will this scheme allow the club to expand?

Yes, it is hoped that the proposals will improve the range of facilities on offer and vastly improve facilities for youth involvement by the creation of a cricket academy.

What are the timescales of the proposals?

If sufficient encouragement and support is obtained, we would look to engage with Tendring in pre-application discussions in the Autumn with a view to submitting a planning application in the Winter.

How will this be paid for?

Hills Group will fund the build entirely via a Section 106 agreement if they are permitted to build some houses to the east of the new pavilion.

If the new housing does not go ahead will the new community facilities still be provided?

No, the Cricket Academy and Pavilion proposal can only go ahead if the housing element of the scheme progresses.

Does the area need new housing?

Tendring Council in its Strategic Housing Assessment has calculated that the district needs 550 new homes a year.

The village has had lots of new housing recently, why do we need even more?

We understand that Great Bentley has seen many new housing developments that provide little community benefit for the people of the village. Great Bentley Cricket Club have been proactive and worked with Hills to design a facility that can meet the needs of the Club and community.

How many houses are you proposing and what sizes will the houses be?

Hills Group are still formulating the residential element of the proposals but are seeking to provide circa 150 new homes. This will be agreed with the District Council in due course.

It is likely that any houses provided will be traditional townhouse style, in keeping with the rest of the village. At the moment we are testing the principle of the Cricket Academy and Pavilion being provided alongside new high-quality housing.

Will there be any affordable housing?

Hills Group are still formulating the residential element of the proposals and this information will be provided in due course, it is likely however that any houses provided will be traditional townhouse style, in keeping with the rest of the village.

At the moment we are testing the principle of the Cricket Academy and Pavilion being provided alongside new high-quality housing.

Why can the Doctors surgery proposed as part of the Admiral Green development not be paid for?

Previously, the developer agreed to pay for Affordable Housing, schools and travel costs, play areas, as well as other district benefits, from the Admiral Green Development. It was therefore agreed with all parties, that the NHS would look to fund and take a lease for the Drs Surgery once planning permission was gained.

Disappointingly for all, after Covid, the NHS priority changed, and they did not want to invest in Great Bentley as they saw that this level of investment would be better spent in other areas.

Great Bentley has already had significant increases in Affordable Housing and other investment from recent new housing in the village. These benefits have largely been for the wider district community outside the village.

On this occasion the developer has agreed to fund the Great Bentley Academy for the community of Great Bentley in lieu of these other payments.

What are the next steps?

Once the Cricket Club are happy with the principle of the proposals we will begin a formal public consultation process ahead of a planning application. It is expected that the planning application will be submitted later this year.

Every Friday evening from mid-April Youth training is on the Green.

Matches are played regularly on a Saturday & Sunday through late Spring, Summer and early Autumn.

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