Share your thoughts: cricket nets and a second artificial pitch proposed for Charlton Park
- Trish Anderson
- Mar 22
- 2 min read
What is being proposed?
The council is proposing to add 3 to 4 artificial pitches and one set of cricket nets to parks across the borough. Charlton Park would receive an additional pitch and is the preferred location being considered for the set of cricket nets.
The nets would be bookable, but open access and free to use. The new pitches would be bookable for a fee, like the existing pitches.
Other parks that would receive new artificial pitches are Avery Hill, Hornfair and Eltham Park South.
Why these facilities and why here?
Charlton Park's existing artificial pitch is very popular and frequently booked out. Cricket nets (pictured above) enable players to practise batting, bowling, or wicketkeeping skills in a controlled environment, so it would make sense to site those near existing cricket facilities, such as Charlton Park's.
Where is the money coming from?
The council are applying for a grant from the English Cricket Board in collaboration with Kent Cricket.
Where in Charlton Park would the new pitch and nets be?
The following locations were proposed for the nets (purple) and the pitch (blue), in order to be near the changing rooms. However, concerns have been raised both about avoiding the route of Parkrun and about affecting the sightlines of Charlton House, so locations are currently under discussion.
How big are cricket nets?
33 metres by 9 metres in area, and 2.4 metres high. There are existing cricket nets at Bostall Heath if you want to go and have a look.
How many people use the existing pitch in Charlton Park? Has the pitch been successful at attracting new players to the game?
Anecdotally, the council say the pitch is booked out all season. Formal data does exist from website bookings, which we have requested, but the council have so far been unable to obtain this. Kent Cricket also run programmes for schools, and we will request data on these programmes too.
Publicity to attract new players to book the existing pitch has been limited: the pitch noticeboard is disused; although cricket equipment is available to borrow from Charlton House Library, this is not promoted at the pitch site.
What is the deadline for feedback?
The council need to apply for funding by Friday 28 March, so we will be sharing our thoughts on Thursday 27 March. Please share your thoughts with us ASAP as timeframes are tight.
The link should get you straight in but, if not, use Meeting ID: 857 8495 2113 and Passcode: 8WYa65.
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