AN OLYMPIC legacy-funded project for a new pavilion at Coniston Cricket Club has been turned down by the Lake District National Park Authority.

The proposal was for a two-storey structure, with the first floor to be let out as holiday accommodation outside the cricket season.

The club said the revenue would help secure its future and create ‘a footprint for other small rural clubs who don’t get corporate funds’.

But the proposal was criticised by some residents who said the design was ‘out of keeping’ with the village and objected to ‘yet another holiday home in Coniston’

. The application was refused by LDNPA’s development control committee, with two members for and seven against.

Committee members agreed there was a need for a new pavilion but called the design ‘overbearing’, ‘inappropriate’ and ‘an eyesore’, with some objecting to it being used as a holiday let.

The design competition was launched last year by Grizedale Arts, with Olympic Legacy funding, and drew more than 80 entries from around the world.

The winning design was a timber-clad building in the shape of cricket bats, with two sets of changing rooms, six showers, disabled toilet, refreshments area, scoreboard, clock and viewing gallery with a moss roof.

A shipping container would also be incorporated into the building for storage.

David Brackwell of Coniston Cricket Club said the current facilities were ‘completely inadequate’ and that using the top floor as holiday accommodation between October and March would help with the £3,600 needed a year to maintain the club.

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But 11 letters of objection to the application were received, including the other two clubs who use the Recreation Ground – Coniston Tennis Club and Coniston Crown Green Bowling Club.

Coniston resident Judith Myers called the plan ‘total overdevelopment’, saying: “A traditional, English style pavilion is what is needed.”

Coniston parish pouncillor Ken Batty said the design “should reflect the landscape and complement the neighbouring buildings.” Adam Sutherland, of Grizedale Arts, said it might appeal the decision.