Proposed Net Facility

This development is part of our ongoing efforts to improve local sports provision and create opportunities for all members of the community to enjoy active, healthy lifestyles.

The proposed facility will consist of two enclosed practice lanes measuring 34m x 9m, with an all‑weather playing surface and protective safety fencing, designed in line with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) standards. The design and layout have been carefully planned to fit sensitively within the existing grounds and minimise any impact on nearby residents or other park users. Please see the photos of the proposed location and example of how the nets will look.

We recognise that Ewart Recreation Ground is a shared space, enjoyed by cricketers, families visiting the play park, dog walkers, and other local residents. We are committed to ensuring that the cricket nets co-exist harmoniously with all other park users, through careful siting, screening, and management of hours of use. The nets shall only be used in the summer months and not after 21:00hrs. 

Moreover, the enclosed practice nets will improve the safety of all users of the park by enclosing the hitting of cricket balls during practice sessions. This means that dog walkers, families and other users of the park will be far less impacted by cricket practice. The new facilities might also allow greater flexibility in park usage during the summer months with greater scope for other activities to co-exist with cricket practice.  

This project directly supports the priorities set out in the Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) adopted by the Parish Council, including:

• Protecting and enhancing open spaces while improving accessibility for recreational use.
• Providing additional community and sports facilities to promote health, wellbeing, and youth engagement.
• Supporting the Parish’s vision for a vibrant, sustainable community with high-quality shared amenities.

By delivering this cricket net facility, we will:

• Enhance a local recreational facility — making better use of land already serving sport, while maintaining access for other park users.
• Foster youth engagement and sporting participation by providing modern, accessible infrastructure.
• Contribute to the Parish’s vision of maintaining high-quality community assets and open spaces that support wellbeing and social cohesion.

We are keen to ensure this facility benefits the wider community as well as the club. Before we submitted our plans, we welcomed feedback  via a survey as well as holding a public consultation meeting which enable us to listen to your views on the proposal.

Proposed Location:

Proposed Design:

Please follow this link to the planning portal where you can view the full submission and submit your comments directly

https://planning.newforest.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=_NEWFO_DCAPR_226778&activeTab=summary

We have also created a simple FAQs to address some of the questions we have been asked during this process to help ensure full transparency and understanding of the proposal is clear to every local resident of Hythe.

FAQs

Q. Why could the nets not be located nearer the cricket club?

After consultation with the Parish council, ECB and our net supplier, it was concluded that the proposed location was the only viable option at Ewart Rec.  As a club, we would have preferred the nets to be nearer the club house but this wasn't feasible and we were conscious not to restrict / impact the youth club on the outside space they utilise frequently 

Q. Will Floodlights be installed?