Cricket club caught out by objections to new pavilion in castle grounds

AN award-winning village cricket club has dropped plans to build a pavilion in the grounds of a 15th century castle after complaints from angry locals.

Kinross Cricket Club, which was named club of the year in 2009 by Howzat, the world's biggest selling cricket magazine, failed to get the decision from residents in neighbouring Milnathort with its proposal for a new ground on land at Burleigh Castle, which is currently grazed by Highland cattle and sheep.

The club's plans prompted more than 20 objections to planning authority Perth and Kinross Council.

Milnathort residents said they feared building the cricket pavilion would lead to "increased noise and anti-social behaviour", while homeowners said cricket balls might land in their gardens, or even injure passers-by.

Sarah Malone, heritage officer at Perth and Kinross heritage Trust said: "I don't know anything about cricket balls landing in gardens or injuring passers-by, but one of our major objections was that the pavilion would be directly opposite this historic castle and visually it would have a significant impact. There are also many items of historical importance, such as buried archaeology, within the grounds, and we would object to a pavilion being built on top of them."

Burleigh Castle is a mid-15th century stone rectangular tower house and courtyard fortress, founded by Sir John Balfour of Balgarvie.

The castle, which was much visited by James IV, is now owned by Historic Scotland and is freely accessible to members of the public.

Kinross Cricket Club, which was founded in 1853, has more than 200 members. Since 2004 it has gone from strength to strength and is still the only club to have won both junior Scottish titles on the same day.