South Shields Cricket Club’s 15-year wait for a new ground continues due to last minute delay

South Shields Cricket Club says it has suffered the blow of an unwanted hold up which is likely to keep it at its current Westoe site for another season.

It had planned to vacate its Wood Terrace home of 158 years and go out to bat and bowl at new purpose-built facilities two miles away when play resumes next spring.

But disappointed club officials say they are set to stay put after finding themselves stumped by a last-minute hiccup.

Their newly created cricket field is on land at Epinay School, Whiteleas, owned by investors under a £24m Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal.

The club claims the delay is because the PFI contract holder has not yet signed it over to South Tyneside Council.

They say this means the council has not been able to fully progress ground development work it has already started.

‘There’s huge disappointment’

Club chairman Jim Elliott said he still expected the move to happen and that some junior games and net practice may take place at the new site next summer but confirmed it was unlikely the first or second teams would take to the field until the 2028 season.

He said: “There’s huge disappointment I think on all sides, but when you’re dealing with the council it can take 10 times as long as with commercial.

“At the end of last year, the legal side of the council and the legal side of the PFI were struggling to get the transfer of land out of the PFI and into the council.

“The council didn’t see a problem with it and said it was just a legal timeframe, at least that’s what I was told by them.

“Because of the delay in the legals, the PFI didn’t want the council on the field, and the council is the contractor.

“The council has laid two new squares but none of the follow up work has been done, the rolling and the preparation, we’ve not been able to pursue that.”

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‘We’ve been working on this for 15 years’

Mr Elliott added: “We might get junior games towards the middle or end of next season and the buildings may be in place, but we will be as normal next season at Westoe.

“It was always going to be when the new ground was ready. We’ve been working on this for 15 years.

“It looked until January that everything was on track and that the move would happen at the end of this season.”

Under the plan, Wood Terrace will continue as a venue for rugby union, tennis and squash – operating as the South Shields and Westoe Club.

‘Subject to a number of processes and approvals’

A South Tyneside Council spokesperson said: “The council continues to progress proposals for a new sports facility on the former school pitches behind Epinay School, which will enhance sports provision in the borough.

“The proposed scheme remains subject to a number of processes and approvals, including planning permission as well as the release of land from the existing PFI agreement.

“Discussions with the relevant parties regarding the release of land are ongoing and while progress is being made, these matters have taken longer than originally anticipated to resolve, meaning the project timetable remains under review.

“The council continues to work constructively with South Shields Cricket Club and other stakeholders.”