ASTON Ingham Cricket Club has been given the green light to build a new pavilion and changing rooms at its Mill Meadow pitch, a major milestone in the club’s expansion.

The club, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, had submitted an application to Herefordshire Council for permission to develop facilities at Mill Meadow.

With approval now granted, the club can move forward with plans to construct a 54-square-metre timber pavilion designed to blend in with the rural surroundings.

The pavilion will feature separate male and female changing rooms, toilets, and a small kitchen area to support both matches and training sessions.

Rebecca Davies, vice chairperson of Aston Ingham CC, expressed her excitement about the plans, stating: "The growth of our ladies and junior sides over the past year has been the key factor driving this development. With more players than ever before, having proper facilities at Mill Meadow has become a necessity."

She added: "These new changing rooms and amenities will ensure we can support both our players and the wider community, offering a better experience for everyone involved."

While the development is unlikely to be completed in time for the start of the new season, the club hopes that the pavilion will be erected and ready for use at some point before the end of the 2025 season.

Although the new pavilion will enhance the Mill Meadow pitch, the site is still expected to serve as a secondary field. The primary pitch, still located at Stockings Road, will remain the main venue for home matches and key fixtures.

The club had previously secured permission to change the land use of Mill Meadow from agricultural to a cricket pitch, and with a long-term lease in place until 2049, this latest approval marks another significant step forward in its development.

With more players and teams now calling Aston Ingham CC home, the new pavilion will play a vital role in supporting the club’s future growth and helping foster a strong cricketing community in the area.