CRICKETERS at a Chalfont St Peter school have been left stumped after plans for a new pavilion were hit for six by planners last night.

Gayhurst School in Bull Lane made a bid for the new facility to replace one described as “very dilapidated” and “totally inadequate”.

But the plans for a 94-square metre building, which would have housed two changing rooms and space for catering facilities, were turned down by members of Chiltern District Council's planning committee because it would have been placed on Green Belt land.

Two sheds would have been demolished to make way for the new pavilion if planning permission had been granted, with the building currently used by cricketers at the school as changing facilities remaining.

Planning committee members suggested a 'like for like' replacement – with the current pavilion being pulled down – would be more likely to be given the thumbs-up.

Resident Barry Moloney told committee members the planned pavilion would be “visually intrusive” for neighbours and there would be an “increase in noise levels”.

He said the size of the proposed development would by “inappropriate” and questioned if the pavilion was essential.

The plans were turned down by eight votes to two.