Henry Smith MP has raised concerns in the House of Commons today that Crawley Borough Council could be responsible for losing £50,000 of England & Wales Cricket Board funding for new community practice nets at Cherry Lane in Langley Green, because of unnecessary local bureaucracy and misleading information from the Town Hall.

Henry commented: 

“It’s fantastic news that Crawley Eagles Cricket Club has won £50,000 from the ECB for new practice nets in Langley Green.

“They will replace disused and dilapidated tennis courts in Cherry Lane but may now not go ahead because Crawley Borough Council first gave misleading information to the Club that the project didn’t need planning permission but now, at the eleventh hour, say that they do. If permission isn’t granted by the end of March the money is lost.”

“It’s incredible that Crawley Borough Council incompetence could lose the community an enhanced facility at no cost to the taxpayer! Cricket is a sport which bring communities together from many different backgrounds, and is a positive and healthy influence for local young people. 

“The way the administration at Crawley Town Hall have played this is simply not cricket. Howzat for community engagement?”