Plans for major new sporting facilities and a housing development in Hitchin have reached an important milestone.

Hitchin Town Cricket Club Ltd is now looking to manage the sale of a portion of the land they own at Lucas Lane to help fund a new clubhouse, an artificial pitch and improvements to the cricket ground and facilities.

The body, representing Hitchin Cricket Club and Blueharts Hockey Clubs, received planning permission last August to redevelop the site and has now finalised its Section 106 Agreement. The document is a legal agreement ensuring land owners make contributions to North Herts District Council to pay for such things as waste collection and affordable housing.

HTCG chairman James Wright said: “We’re pleased to have successfully completed this important step. It takes us closer to our dream of providing first-class sporting facilities for the clubs and the community.”