Plans revealed to secure the County Ground's future in Hove

Sussex Cricket has revealed detailed proposals for enhancing and investing in the county ground in the heart of Hove, taking on board feedback from the public at a consultation held earlier in the year.

“Sussex Cricket’s County Ground has been based in Hove for nearly 150 years and our ambition is to be able to secure our future here and to continue to deliver our wide-reaching community programmes across Sussex,” said CEO of Sussex Cricket, Rob Andrew.

“Sussex Cricket supports 200 community cricket clubs and 340 league teams across Sussex, an academy training ground at Blackstone, a centre for girls and women’s cricket at the Brighton Aldridge Cricket Academy and community support bringing cricket to people of all abilities in the county.

“We have heard from our club members, neighbours, local businesses, amenity and conservation groups as well as the South East Design Panel and council officers and we have worked hard to integrate their feedback into our plans,” said Rob Andrew, CEO of Sussex Cricket.

Sussex Cricket commissioned award-winning local firm ECE Architecture to create the plans, which are estimated to attract £20million capital investment and create 153 jobs.

Phase 1 includes replacing buildings on the south west corner of the Ground facing onto Eaton Road, including The Sussex Cricketer pub, with 37 quality apartments and a pub with sun terrace in an eco-friendly landmark building which includes flexible commercial space.

A much more visible and attractive entrance to the Ground is proposed, reinstating historical features such as the old Tate Gates and introducing a new clock tower. In response to public feedback, the traditional village green feel of the club is to be maintained through white picket fencing, grassy areas and planting trees and shrubs.

Phase 2 includes replacing the existing club offices and the lowest capacity section of the South West Stand with a purpose built five star conferencing facility for match day hospitality and all-year event hire, built over two storeys and including a roof terrace.

Phase 3 incorporates enhanced stands of permanent seating, which have been kept low so that impact on overlooking neighbours is minimally impacted, along with improved refreshment facilities and toilets.  

In response to requests from regular cricket supporters, the north west and north east corners will be astro-turfed for people to continue to be able to enjoy the afternoon sun on deckchairs.

Phase 4 proposes replacing the existing non-permanent hospitality buildings with more permanent seating, again kept low to minimise impact on neighbours.

You can see and comment on the plans here from 12th to 20th September 2019.

If you wish to contact the team, please email: sussexcricket@naturalpr.biz