Here is an update on our planning application. The process is currently on hold whilst we engage with individual and group objectors to discuss their concerns. Some of these are due to material inaccuracies in the application and some are negotiable. Of course there are some who are simply opposed to the principle of the development, and we will agree to disagree with them and leave this to the officers.

We will be presenting some documents which for whatever reason didn't get uploaded to the portal, and some new items, in the next few days. I attach some of these for your members to view.

As we all know, this process has dragged on for some time and the club has suffered financially as a result. We will be taking a view shortly on which model to move forward with. Hopefully there will be enough encouragement to continue with our preferred model of canopies and year-round access managed by permanent staff, with a strong emphasis on coaching and junior development. If we believe this to be unlikely, then we will default to a lower-cost model of unstaffed pay and play.

As you can see from the attached plan of how the income will be used by the club, I hope you agree the former is the better option for locals, the wider community and the club.

This application will likely be decided on planning law, not support or objections, as influential as they are. We wish to have a development that the majority of our neighbours and friends can be proud of, or at least comfortable with. This is why we will continue to engage and negotiate compromises where possible with the objectors.

As ever, I am happy to answer any questions or queries you may have — chairman.hornseycricket.uk@gmail.com

Jim Chapman