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Striking CGIs reveal ambitious plans for the Spitfire cricket ground, Canterbury

05:00, 19 December 2022

updated: 13:53, 19 December 2022

Striking images show what Kent County Cricket Club’s home ground could look like if their ambitious proposals to transform the site are green-lit.

The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in Canterbury has submitted plans to refurbish the ground, which include expanding the stands and relocating a war memorial.

Proposals are in to improve the entrance to The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury
Proposals are in to improve the entrance to The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury
The war memorial is to be relocated to make it more accessible to the public
The war memorial is to be relocated to make it more accessible to the public

In use since 1847, the sporting venue in Old Dover Road has seen many updates over the years - most recently the construction of a block of retirement flats on the edge of the site, which opened in 2017.

Now, the club is hoping to revamp its entranceway by relocating a war memorial and installing a number of flagpoles.

The application was submitted by the Lee Evans Partnership on behalf of Kent County Cricket Club.

Computer-generated image showing how the refinished stands at Canterbury cricket ground are expected to look
Computer-generated image showing how the refinished stands at Canterbury cricket ground are expected to look
The new stands will introduce new boxes for coaches and officials
The new stands will introduce new boxes for coaches and officials

The firm is are also responsible for designing the sleek refurbishment.

Planning consultant for Lee Evans, Shannon Burgess, said: “The proposed development seeks to enhance the sense of arrival, presence and the overall security of the site.

“The site constitutes an appropriate scale and form of development within this part of the city, reflecting proportionately high quality design.

“These development works intend to support the club in enhancing site facilities for users and visitors alike, in line with a series of approved site-wide improvements in recent years.”

12 new flag poles hanging banners from steel cables have been proposed
12 new flag poles hanging banners from steel cables have been proposed
Plans also include replacing fencing and resurfacing pathways
Plans also include replacing fencing and resurfacing pathways

The aim of the proposals is to make the pedestrian entrance into the ground more clearly defined and visually appealing.

At the same time, the club will be extending the coaches' boxes and expanding the Frank Woolley Stand’s viewing room.

These works will add three additional coaches' boxes, two officials' boxes and new bathroom facilities with showers.

The war memorial is set to be moved to make it visible to and accessible by the public.

What the spectator areas could look like if the plans go ahead
What the spectator areas could look like if the plans go ahead

Ms Burgess continued: “The proposed development focuses on a reconfiguring of two spaces to enhance the efficiency of the site and improve the quality of this space.

“The proposed revisions to the site approach are intended to provide a safer and more legible access to pedestrians, designed in keeping with the wider context of the site.

“The extensions provided within the Frank Woolley Stand are modest, and would meet existing club need for additional coaches boxes and related facilities."

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