A historic cricket pavilion is set to be transformed into a community function room as part of a range of improvements at a 170-year-old sports club.

Stand Cricket Club in Whitefield, which is within the All Saints conservation area, has submitted plans which cover a number of improvements.

They include refurbishment of the historic pavilion building which is currently used as a store room.

Until 2023 it was the scoreboard building but has been replaced by a new digital cricket scoreboard.

If the plans are approved the building will provide a second members’ area, and a second smaller function room for community use.

Other improvements include the extending the changing room section of the cricket club’s main clubhouse.

The works will include accessible access, ladies’ changing rooms and new toilet and showers replacing the existing 50-year-old facilities.

Another change will be single storey porch area to rear of the building to allow for the main entrance to be kerbside and improve access.

The outside seating facing the pitch will also be replaced.

The crumbling seating area will be covered to create an elevated view over the pitch with new seating at the pitch side

The crumbling seating area will be covered to create an elevated view over the pitch with new seating at the pitch side

A heritage statement in support of the plans said: “In recent years Stand Cricket Club has repositioned itself as a community asset – welcoming the public to the facilities.

“The buildings are in dire need of refurbishment and a local grant application for funding to commence these works was successful.

“The club has been a mainstay of the area since 1853.

“The refurbishment of the old pavilion building will bring the building back to its former glory, restoring the frontage to all window and providing a new community asset.

“The main single storey clubhouse is only accessible from the pitch side after climbing the crumbling concrete steps.

“The proposed porch-way will sit adjacent to the current fire exit which will become the main entrance to the club house.

“This will not only improve the kerbside appeal of the club with the conservation area, but will keep public access at night limited to this side of the club.

“The crumbling seating area will be covered to create an elevated view over the pitch with new seating at the pitch side.”

The statement said the plans would need a mature birch tree to be removed but the cricket club would plant three new trees within the grounds.

The plans will be decided by Bury planning department in the coming weeks.