Council planners have handed a boost to a village cricket club as it looks to upgrade its facilities.

Lapworth Cricket Club has been granted planning permission for a new netted practice area in a bid to boost its junior section after its existing set up was damaged in a storm in 2024.

The Old Warwick Road club said its "thriving" junior setup is limited by its "poor training infrastructure".

It has now been given the green light for a new all-weather two-lane enclosed netted practice area.

Approving the plans, a council report said: "The proposed scheme is considered to have an acceptable impact on the openness of the green belt and the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

"Additionally, the proposals are considered to have an acceptable impact on neighbouring amenity levels and will provide a biodiversity net gain on site, subject to conditions."

Currently the junior section has over 60 children aged five to 15.

Improving the nets, the club said, would allow another 50 children to join in the first year, boost ties with the local primary school and encourage "inclusive participation".

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The application explained: "Lapworth Cricket Club is applying for planning permission to install a new non-turf practice facility to increase local child participation in sport and support efforts to reduce childhood obesity.

"As the only sports club in the village, we are a vital provider of physical activity, social connection, and wellbeing for children and families in Lapworth and the surrounding rural area."

Click here to see the full planning application.

(Header image by David P Howard via geograph.org.uk)