A MAIDENHEAD school could lay down two cricket pitches inside the green belt if councillors approve fresh plans this week.

Five hectares of land in an agricultural field on the west of Cannon Lane could see a change of use depending on members sitting on the Maidenhead development management panel’s decision.

The two pitches are to be used by students attending the adjacent Claires Court Junior Boys School, as well as its nearby senior school, and North Maidenhead Cricket Club.

The privately-owned club will only use it during the ‘cricket season’ in the summer months on a Friday evening, and on Saturdays and Sundays.

According to the planning statement, the school has lost access to two sport pitches in the summer and grass outfield pitches in the winter following the “forced closure” of the North Maidenhead Cricket Club last year.

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Despite the proposed plans being in the green belt, planning officers recommended the panel approve the application, believing it will not impact the green space as no new buildings are to be erected.

However, objectors raised concern cricket teams wanting to park at the school and use the pitches could result in an overspill onto the roads.

One objector wrote: “A cricket team has 11 players as well as supporters and coaches, with two cricket pitches there will be in excess of 44 persons on site.

“This means there is a possibility of at least 62 cars, therefore, there is not enough parking on site. Where will any excess cars park?

“The Little Thicket car park is owned by the National Trust and is for the use of Thicket users and Cannon Lane is too narrow to cater for parked cars.”

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But planning officers believe the 50 available parking spaces within the school’s grounds are sufficient enough to withstand the increased use of the site and will not warrant a huge overspill of parked cars.

Councillors sitting on the panel will make their final decision on Wednesday, January 19.