Plans for new pitches and an extended pavilion at Lichfield Cricket and Hockey Club have been approved.

Lichfield District Council gave the green light for the changes to the Eastern Avenue facility.

The proposals include the creation of two new 3G artificial pitches, one new grass surface, as well as additional changing facilities and more parking spaces.

A statement supporting the planning application said: “The current facility is being used to capacity and inhibiting expansion to become a still more successful club.

“Expansion would allow the club, for example, to run more teams in junior age groups where it is currently not possible due to a lack of availability of pitch time.

“In order to facilitate the club’s development, the installation of another artificial pitch would enable the club to be together at weekends. This would allow more training time that could be allocated more specifically to particular age groups, skill levels and teams.

“It would also allow the club to host local, Midland and England Hockey tournaments where two pitches are a necessity in order to run parallel matches.”

Whittington Rugby Club said the development will allow it to launch a junior section, while Lichfield Round Table Football Club are also keen to expand on the Eastern Avenue site.

A statement from Lichfield Cricket Club added: “The development of the changing rooms would ensure that the new facilities are built to match the current requirements of the England and Wales Cricket Board.”

Full details of the application and decision can be seen on Lichfield District Council’s planning website.

Founder of Lichfield Live and editor of the site.