Kent County Cricket Club has today announced that the Club is currently working on proposals to develop a high-quality residential scheme, overlooking the ground, with McCarthy and Stone. 

Although the scheme details are yet to be unveiled, and are in the early stages of planning, the Club is excited with the possibilities that such a development would bring.

The Club was previously granted planning consent for the development of a large hotel and fitness centre, however, despite extensive marketing, the site has not proved sufficiently attractive to a developer.  Recent other developments in South Canterbury now make this prospect even less likely.

The Club has significantly improved the ground in the last two years with an extensive redevelopment programme.  McCarthy & Stone is now proposing to redevelop the site previously earmarked for a hotel with high-quality bespoke apartments, designed for those wishing to remain active in later life.

A pre-application consultation programme will commence in the coming months, which will inform the Club’s members, local residents, businesses and interest groups, as well as offering an opportunity for people to provide feedback.  This would, where possible, be incorporated into the final proposals prior to the submission of a formal planning application.

The proposals would include a mix of self-contained one and two bedroom apartments together with, a range of communal facilities, highly sustainable eco design, secure entry systems and attractive communal gardens with enhanced landscaping.

Jamie Clifford, Chief Executive of Kent Cricket, commented; “We are pleased to be announcing the start of work on these exciting proposals.  The Club, after considerable efforts to generate interest, has concluded that the prospect of securing a high-quality hotel developer is extremely remote.  McCarthy & Stone are a leader in their field, and I hope that we can look forward to a seeing a high quality scheme developed.”

A spokesperson for McCarthy & Stone commented; “McCarthy and Stone are keen to develop a scheme which positively contributes to the local community, both through the high-quality, attractive design and the increase in local housing choice the development would bring.

“We are committed to engaging with the local community and Club and will be offering residents and members the opportunity to meet with the project team to discuss early proposals.  This will ensure residents and stakeholders can view and comment on the proposed plans, and allow people to speak with the team and provide feedback.”