Radcliffe cricket club to be moved in 400 homes plan

A cricket club, which was founded in 1935, will be relocated to make way for 400 homes, if plans are approved.

The Morris Homes development on the East Lancashire Paper Mill site in Radcliffe has evolved since outline permission was granted in 2018.

East Lancs Paper Mill Cricket Club secretary said he was "positive" about the move to an upgraded ground with a new pavilion and playing surface.

The proposal also includes creating a "functional floodplain".

Bury Council revealed new details which showed a section of the development consisted of three-storey homes with open space in front of them overlooking the River Irwell.

The site has previously suffered from flooding, in particular, on Boxing Day in 2015, when out of control water flows destroyed a nearby footbridge over the river, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

However, a flood risk and drainage assessment has been subject to consultation and interrogation by the Environment Agency.

The assessment identified parts of the site which suffered flooding in the past, from Hutchinson's Goit and the River Irwell.

It explained how the site could be remodelled by creating a functional floodplain while the development had a minimum floor level outside the new floodplain.

Two existing accesses into the site from Cross Lane, at Cock Clod Street and Croft Lane, have potential for further access points at Church Street East.

The relocated cricket club, which was founded for mill workers, would have a new pavilion at the south-east end of the site.

Club Secretary Mark Robinson said he was "positive about the proposed move", adding that everyone at the club believed it would "create an excellent community facility in this area".

"We have been regularly consulted about the new location for the cricket club, the site masterplan and the design of the club house," he said.

"The site masterplan provides an appropriate new facility that satisfies our vision for the club."

The plans will be considered by Bury Council in the coming weeks.

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