Hit for six over plans for ‘sky-high’ netting
SAFETY netting described as ‘sky high’ is set to loom over houses earmarked for fields next to a village cricket pitch on the outskirts of Huddersfield.
The 18m-high nets will go up at the Emley Moor Miners’ Recreation Ground as part of conditions around a new housing estate on a neighbouring field.
Locals say the 59ft ball-stop netting and supporting stanchions will dwarf trees that border the pitch and be ‘an eyesore’ for existing villagers and newcomers who buy homes adjoining the cricket ground.
Matches have been played on the site since 1870 and flying cricket balls have become an accepted occasional hazard for people living nearby. However, new housing proposed by developer Barratt Homes Yorkshire will be closer and more susceptible to ball strikes, necessitating the very high fence.
Now planning chiefs and the builder have been urged to reconsider the number of houses designated for the land, off Green Acres Close and to look at removing eight homes that border the ground.
Campaigners Mike Wood, a trustee for the recreation ground, and Frank Spivey, secretary of Emley Millennium Green, say the houses as planned are too close.
The two men have also highlighted recommendations from ball strike experts Labosport, consultants to the England and Wales Cricket Board, that to be 100% effective the safety fencing should be 25m – or 82ft – high.
That conflicted with an initial recommendation from Barratt Homes for a 12m-high fence, which led to an objection from Sports England. That objection was withdrawn when the higher fence was included.
Mr Wood said: “We accept that housing is going to be built next door but the fencing has to be right. We fear what could happen when a ball comes over [the net] and it hits a child in a garden.”
Mr Spivey added: “We couldn’t accept a 12m-high fence as we wouldn’t be covered legally. It needs to be higher because of the position of the houses. That means the best part of 60ft. The problem for us is that no one is telling us any specifications of what the net is going to be. All we see are silly drawings – we’re angry, frustrated and exasperated.”
The duo also referenced a planning decision three years ago when 12m-high fencing – described by opponents as ‘a right monstrosity’ – was put up at the edge of Golcar Cricket Club to protect new housing.
Mr Wood also questioned who will take responsibility for maintaining the net and supports in future years.
He said: “Where is the funding going to come from and how long will it legally continue?”
Speaking at a recent meeting of Kirklees Council’s Heavy Woollen planning sub-committee, Mark Jones, head of planning at Barratt Homes, told members that the company had ‘no choice’ but to meet Sport England’s requirement for the height of ball strike nets but with the 17m proposed height ‘there can be absolutely no concern in respect of safety of the proposed homes and ongoing operation of the cricket club.’
A decision at that meeting (April 28) was deferred pending a site visit. No date has yet been set.