Phoenix Cricket club could lose pitch in land sell-off at Grimsby's hospital
CRICKETERS are hitting out over plans to sell off land at Grimsby's hospital – claiming their pitch could be lost in the process.
Members of the Phoenix Cricket Club based within the grounds of Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, are once again fighting to save their beloved sport from the axe.
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CRICKET CONCERNS: Secretary of Phoenix Cricket Club Michael Clorley is opposed to plans which may see the pitch at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital be sold off as land for housing. Picture: Abby Ruston
It comes just four years after the club successfully fought off plans to move the pitch from its current location, running parallel to Scartho Road, to create additional parking.
As reported, this latest stand follows an announcement by Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG), that it intends to sell-off land and unused hospital buildings to potentially make way for 400 homes. Among the other land which could be sold are the old workhouse buildings and 4.2 hectares near Scartho Top where the helipad is located.
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However, Michael Clorley, secretary of the cricket club, will be "devastated" if the pitch has to go, as it has been based at the hospital since 1986 and is home to three teams made up of GPs, junior doctors and hospital staff.
Grainthorpe Cricket Club also use the ground for matches and training.
Mr Clorley, who was a patient at the hospital for a week last year following major bowel surgery, said: "This cricket club is loved by staff at the hospital and patients who enjoy getting off the ward and sitting outside to watch a match.
"If the land is sold off then I doubt the club would survive, we would have to find a new site where doctors could easily get to.
"We just hope they listen to our views, but I am not holding my breath."
Jay Everett, director for CBRE property consultants, which is working with the hospital over plans, said he was delighted with the turn-out for the public consultations.
He said: "We have received a lot of response, and we will now go and analyse the feedback.
"Over the next few months we will look at the plans again with the hospital and North East Lincolnshire Council to see if any changes need to be made."
Comments
by lashbaby
Friday, February 22 2013, 8:16PM
“Good idea, as a cricket ground it is a joke, lousy wicket short boundaries awful changing facilities Barratts is a better option for them.”