THE former home of the county’s cricket club and its historic pavilion could be saved and returned to former glory.

With time rapidly running out for Worcester City Council to strike a deal with the site’s current owners, it seems a last-ditch attempt to save the Cinderella sports ground, off Bransford Road, St John’s, Worcester, from being bulldozed and replaced with housing could come off.

As part of an agreement over proposals to build homes on the neighbouring Cinderella Works site, the city council has until Monday, March 19, to decide whether to take up the option of a 25-year lease on the ground at a peppercorn rate.

But the proposal hinges on the success of a £50,000 funding bid to Sport England and on a partner agreeing to manage the site, which has tennis courts, a bowling green, football and cricket pitches.

The Worcester News understands council chiefs are confident that a deal can be done at this late stage, but what would happen to the ground in 25 years’ time would depend on owners Arndale Prop-erty and the city councillors of the day.

Councillor Francis Lankester, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said: “This is a really important playing field on the west side of the city and a great opportunity for the city council to secure its future for the next 25 years.

“The Cinderella sports ground was at the heart of Worcester’s sporting traditions for over 100 years and was well used by many local teams.

“If we can secure external funding, in addition to our own contribution, and a partner to undertake the management of the facilities, this could be a thriving sporting venue again.”

When the city council’s cabinet meets on Tuesday, February 14, members will decide whether to stump up £65,000 towards the project to save the ground – home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club until 1899 when it moved to its current site in New Road – and its 136-year-old cricket pavilion.

Developers wanted to demolish the pavilion in 2006 only to be stopped because sparrows were found nesting in the building, making its demolition illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

In total, the whole scheme to reinstate the playing pitches and redevelop the pavilion is expected to cost up to £185,000.

A number of voluntary sector sports clubs have already expressed an interest in using the ground if it is re-instated.

The site was part of the Kay & Co complex and was used for sports for more than 125 years.