Cricket club issue update over major Trent Bridge redevelopment plan

Officials at Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club say they’re working to finalise dates for work to start on the refurbishment of the Members’ Pavilion at Trent Bridge that has ‘long failed’ to meet ECB standards. The plans, approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council on June 28, set out the partial demolition and extension of pavilion.

Notts are seeking to upgrade player and official facilities, creating a new players’ gym, further hospitality space and new changing areas. The club previously said such improvements were necessary to secure the future of Test match allocations for 2025 to 2031.

In an update, the club said they were drawing up timescales for the project. Despite the ground’s international recognition, the current pavilion has “long failed” to meet the standards required by The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the sport’s governing body. This includes the ground’s level of accessible wheelchair access, which was found to be significantly short of expectations.

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The building’s current structure will be extended from three to six floors, with a new basement level allowing for the more spacious facilities needed to accommodate the increasing size of teams and their support staff. Fully unisex changing spaces and more areas for player and match official welfare, as well as more space for kit and equipment are set to be built.

“Significant levels of demolition” are planned as part of the works to make the space for the proposed new-build areas, according to planning documents. The pitch-facing elements, which are the original parts of the building, would be preserved however the recent rear extensions would be demolished.

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club said the ECB were now “highly satisfied” with and supportive of the proposals, now approved. A report compiled by a Rushcliffe Borough Council planning officer read: “The proposed development would require the substantial alteration and partial demolition of a non-designated heritage asset, however, the harm arising would be outweighed by the social and economic benefits of the scheme. The proposal seeks to improve facilities without increasing the capacity of the ground.

“Taken as a whole it is considered that the proposed development would be acceptable in terms of neighbouring amenity. It is considered that the development accords with the general national and local planning policies considered above and accordingly it is recommended that the application is approved.”

It is unclear when the work will take place and how long it will last. Trent Bridge is set to host the England Test series against West Indies next month.