New Chippenham cricket ground ready for action

In time for this summer’s Cricket World Cup success, Wiltshire Council, Chippenham Rugby Club, Linden Homes and Wiltshire Cricket Limited (WCL) have worked in partnership to develop a new cricket ground in Chippenham that will serve the local community now and in the future.

As part of the planning consent for the residential development on the Westinghouse Recreation Ground, and to combat the loss of the cricket pitch, section 106 funding has been used to create a new facility that includes an English Cricket Board (ECB) compliant 10-wicket square, two team pavilion and separate cricket practice facilities that meet the ECB’s specifications.

Cllr Allison Bucknell, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “We’re delighted that planning legislation and the goodwill of the residential developer has resulted in a cricket facility that not only meets the needs of the local community, but also meets the specification of the ECB and the needs of Wiltshire Cricket Limited.

“We hope that cricketers of all ages can enjoy the facility and that we may see a future England player blossom from this new facility.”

Pete Sykes, Managing Director of Wiltshire Cricket Limited, said: “The ECB and WCL have been pleased to work with the developer to deliver much-needed high quality cricket facilities in the Chippenham area.

“We are delighted to say that Allington Cricket Club (formerly known as the Westinghouse Cricket Club) are playing at the new ground and were part of the Wiltshire Cricket League in 2019, achieving great success by completing all of their fixtures, almost achieving promotion and bringing the sound of leather on willow to Chippenham Rugby Club’s hallowed turf.”