New Amberley Cricket Ground Gets The Nod Despite Opposition

Thursday, 30 January 2025, 9:38 pm
Article: David Hill - Local Democracy Reporter

A new sports ground, including a cricket field, has been confirmed for Amberley in Canterbury, despite strong opposition.

The development of Amberley’s Village Green has been included a new reserve management plan, adopted by the Hurunui District Council at a meeting on Tuesday, January 28.

Nine councillors including Mayor Marie Black supported the new plan, but one voted against it and another abstained in support of ratepayer opposition to a proposed cricket ground in the Village Green.

The reserve management plan provides a framework for managing reserves throughout the Hurunui district.

Formerly known as Amberley Eastern Reserve, a concept plan for the Village Green was adopted in November.

It included plans to develop a cricket ground, a walking and cycling track, parking, a pavilion, storage shed, playground, toilet facilities, and a basketball and netball court.

Around 120 of the nearly 200 submissions supported the development of a cricket ground, but residents living nearby have been strong in their opposition.

Councillor Vanessa McPherson voted against the plan, but expressed support for the rest of the document.

She said residents had sent a letter to the Ombudsman to express their concerns.

Fellow south ward councillor Garry Jackson said he ‘‘remained deeply troubled by the situation around the Village Green’’.

He abstained as he did not wish to vote against the entire plan.

Amberley ratepayer John Weyers addressed councillors in November, urging them to vote against establishing another cricket ground.

He said cricket is already being played at the Amberley Domain and there was no reason why cricket and football could not co-exist.

A cricket ground was first mooted for the Village Green a decade ago.

The council entered into a sale and purchase agreement with the developer in 2014 and the land was vested in the council two years later with the intention of developing a cricket ground.

Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said funds have been set aside to develop the reserve, with 90 percent coming from development contributions.

Mrs Black said she was pleased to see the new plan adopted.

‘‘This is a one in 10-year chance to consider this and there has been a tremendous amount of work put in by staff and councillors to get to this point.’’

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

© Scoop Media

Local Democracy Reporting

Content from the Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) service is published by Scoop as a registered New Zealand Media Outlet LDR Partner.