First look at the new Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club by New Space Architecture

The impressive new clubhouse for Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club, designed by Devon-based firm, New Space Architecture, has sailed through planning permission and began construction in September 2022.

The replacement clubhouse will be situated in a new location at Janey’s field, Budleigh Salterton following its previous home at Ottermouth which has been subject to seasonal flooding for years. The relocation of the cricket club is part of the Environmental Agency’s £15m Lower Otter Restoration Project, returning the area to a more natural state, increasing biodiversity and improving habitats.

Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club’s new stunning purpose-built structure has been designed to not only meet the specific requirements of a modern and inclusive cricket facility but will also provide a social venue for the wider community. The new clubhouse will be fully accessible to all users and split into sports and changing facilities on the ground floor and a large entertaining and social space upstairs complete with a stunning raised balcony, giving 180° panoramic views across the two new cricket pitches and out to sea.

The changing facilities can be altered depending on the needs of the cricket facility, from two larger rooms for full professional teams, or four smaller rooms for friendly matches, kids and accessible cricket. There will also be an umpire changing station, scorers room and a fully kitted out groundskeeper facilities. Upstairs is accessible by stairs or lift and includes a full-sized bar, kitchen space and unisex toilets alongside the entertaining space.

Mitch Temple, Founding Director of New Space Architecture says, “It’s been really exciting working on this project and be part of such a positive and inclusive scheme. The new facility will not only meet the needs of the cricket club in enabling people of all ages, genders and abilities to be able to access the sport, but also, provide a fantastic new space for the wider community to enjoy.”

This year New Space Architecture was officially recognised as being Net Zero for 2021 as they work hard to not only bring sustainable elements into their designs but also to offset their own day-to-day carbon footprint. This fantastic new cricket facility demonstrates this well as it will utilise renewable energy sources such as solar and air source heat pumps as well as benefiting from additional design features that work with the natural environment such as louvred sun shades and rainwater harvesting.

With the cricket pitches already finished and ready for gameplay, Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club are hoping to start matches next season in April 2023 and move into the clubhouse when construction completes later in the year.

Club chairman Joel Murphy said: “We’re really pleased and excited to be working with Mitch and Adam on designing our fantastic new cricket pavilion which will allow us to develop Budleigh Salterton Cricket Club not only for cricket, but as an inclusive community facility. The modern building is in keeping with the natural beauty of the Otter Valley and made from sustainable materials to future-proof our club at our new cricket ground.”