Historic pavilion could be saved

The pavilion once hosted the touring Australian team

A historic cricket pavilion once used by legendary cricketer WG Grace could be saved from demolition.

A housing developer wants to knock down the 140-year-old building at the Boughton Park ground, in Worcester.

The High Court ruled in March it could be demolished to allow houses to be built on the ground and an old factory.

But the city council has now told SJS Property Management planning permission will depend on it agreeing to lease it the sports ground for 25 years.

John Kerwin, the council's conservation officer, said the council would then seek a partner to help make the ground a "first class" sporting venue.

'Fairly confident'

Permission to build offices on part of the site in St John's has already been approved.

Mr Kerwin added: "I'm fairly confident that the pavilion has been saved but I can't be absolutely confident.

"It could be that the developer suddenly loses interest, sells his planning permission on to another developer, and we have to start persuading the new one all over again."

The pavilion was originally set to be demolished in 2006 before a conservation order was placed on it by the council.

This was overturned by the High Court in March.

Known as the Cinderella ground, it was the home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club in the 19th Century and hosted the Australian touring team in 1878.

But the black-and-white timbered pavilion later fell into a state of disrepair.