A CRICKET club which last year celebrated its 75th anniversary has taken a step towards securing its future after its plans for a new pavilion were approved.

Earlier this summer, Over Peover Cricket Club submitted proposals to Cheshire East Council to demolish its ageing clubhouse - an old army building moved from Toft in the 1940s.

As part of the plans, a new pavilion, with improved and modern facilities, will be erected in its place as well as a separate scorebox.

And following its anniversary celebrations last year, the club is now celebrating again as the council gave the plans the green light earlier this month.

Jim Shaw, chairman of the Well Bank Lane club, was delighted the plans had been approved.

He said: “It is fantastic news that we have had our plans for a new pavilion approved, we are really pleased. The facilities are getting to a point where they’re looking tired.

“We had our 75th anniversary last year and are planning how we get to 100 years; We need a new clubhouse as part of this vision.

“We’re trying to attract more people to the club. As with any sport, if you come, take a look at the facilities and you don’t like them, you probably don’t come back.

Knutsford Guardian: A CGI picture of what the new pavilion could look likeA CGI picture of what the new pavilion could look like (Image: Over Peover CC)

“The new clubhouse will enable us to retain and attract more players, whether they be adults or juniors, male or female.

“The pavilion will have more modern changing facilities and being able to accommodate male and the increasing number of female players at the club.

"The new facility will encompass a new social area for use during and after matches as well for fundraising events.

“We are also planning on installing new nets which is really important for our junior section."

Club president Mark Nightingale, added: “Over Peover is small village and we are key part of the community. The cricket club thriving is important to village.

“We attract a lot of children from Peover school, and from Goostrey, Chelford and Lower Peover, who join and progress through the teams into senior cricket.

“The players and the local community have really been involved to help raise more than £80,000 thus far. The support has been fantastic.”

Work on the new facilities is set to begin in the new year, with a view to have the building up in time for the 2024 season.

Jim and Mark believe the club has managed to raise 90 per cent of the funds needed to fully complete the project.

Mark added: "It was an ambitious target, so we’ll need to do some more fundraising.

“Many people didn’t think we’d achieve it, but everyone has really got behind the common goal. We have done brilliantly and had some real fun along the way.

“Getting the local community involved has been key and it has been a testament to the village and players [that we have raised this much].”