An Isle of Wight cricket club is looking for more ways to make money after its heating bill tripled in the last three years.
Ventnor Cricket Club is seeking to remove a holiday-only use condition on its lodge, which is opposite the cricket academy and pavilion.
Year round income
It would allow the club to let the property when the holiday market is quiet and extend its income throughout the year.
Documents submitted to the Isle of Wight council, by agent Phil Salmon Planning, say the lodge is a significant source of income, but is limited to the summer months as there is no market for winter lets.
Demand for residential occupancy
The planning agents say there is demand for residential occupancy and the funds would help the club’s finances as they are projected to make a loss in the coming year.
Running and repair costs are rising, they say, with heating bills now accounting for a quarter of the club’s costs, with the bill topping £20,000 last year.
Still let out in summer
The planning agents say there is no intention to sell the property and it would still be let over the summer period, but it would not stop the club from using it as a permanent residential building.
An outside decking area would also be added if the plans were approved.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 23/00502/FUL, on the Isle of Wight Council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 7th July.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
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