Cricket pavilion planned at private members' club

An exclusive private members' club in west London has applied to build a new cricket pavilion to allow disabled visitors access and spectators to use the loo.

The Hurlingham Club in Fulham said its existing pavilion is more than 30 years old and is no longer "fitting" for patrons, its planning report to Hammersmith and Fulham Council stated.

The lavish sports and social club, which counts the Princess of Wales as a member, wants to replace the run-down structure with a new, wooden building which "draws on traditional cricket pavilion forms" of a pitched roof, deep verandas and crafted timber detailing.

If approved, the pavilion will be 165 sqm in size, almost double its current footprint.

The club house is set to provide level access to a clubroom, a servery, umpire changing rooms and toilets.

In the winter, it will be used by croquet players with pitches laid out on the cricket ground and provide a resting point for members walking in the grounds.

It will also be used by the Young Hurlingham and Hartbeeps, a kids' groups run by the club.

The current pavilion is made of two run-down portable cabins which are said to be at the end of their operational life and has no changing rooms for officials or toilets for spectators. There is no access to people with mobility issues or wheelchair users.

The Hurlingham Club said the pavilion does not meet the "expectation of the club, its members or visitors" or the English Cricket Board (ECB) guidelines and is inaccessible to those with mobility challenges.

According to the application paperwork, the Hurlingham Club is a private social and sports club situated in 42 acres of landscaped grounds near the River Thames.

It is recognised as "one of the world's finest private member clubs" and, since opening in 1869, has offered croquet and tennis lawns, botanical gardens and has a stately Georgian Clubhouse to members. It is considered the birthplace of polo.

Grade II listed Hurlingham House is the main mansion which houses club rooms, restaurants, offices and gym spaces as well as indoor tennis courts, pickleball and padel courts and an indoor pool.

Membership reportedly costs £1,400 per year. It also has a closed membership list, which is reviewed just once a year.

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