A PRIVATE school has applied for planning permission to demolish its cricket pavilion and replace it with a multi-use sports pavilion.

Durham School, in Durham city, has submitted the application to renew its sporting facilities on its cricket pitch in Quarryheads Lane.

The existing post-war pavilion is in a poor state of repair.

The existing cricket pavilion at Durham School

If approved, the new facility, made of lightweight timber cladding, will be much larger and will have a gull roof to allow for a sheltered viewing deck.

A planning statement by Howarth Litchfield said: “The existing cricket pavilion is a post war building of no architectural merit and is in a particularly poor state of repair.

“The roof structure and timber windows to the rear of the pavilion are showing progressing signs of decay and the longevity of the building cannot be ensured.

“The proposal to demolish the existing pavilion is seen as positive move and will provide Durham School with a much needed new facility.

“The footprint of the new building is proposed to be larger in order to accommodate varying needs of the sporting curriculum. The design of the new pavilion will be contemporary to reflect the progressive nature of the school.”

Among the school’s cricketing alumni are Michael and Andrew Roseberry, who both played at county level.