A HOUSE BUILDER is not worried about dramatic plans to scrap county cricket in Maidstone for at least a year.

Hillreed Homes is working with The Mote Cricket Club and Maidstone Rugby Football Club on a multi-million pound plan for housing and sports redevelopment at the historic ground.

The deal involves an indoor cricket school, tennis academy, a bar, restaurant, corporate entertainment facilities and new pitches.

Housing – the plan envisages 40 apartments and townhouses in a crescent alongside Willow Way – is key to the deal that aims to lever in more cash from various sporting bodies.

Colin Creed, managing director of Hillreed Homes, said the suspension of county cricket at the ground would not affect its plans or devalue the properties.

"If this is true – and I have only heard about a one-year suspension – then one of the reasons for postponing games at the Mote is because of the poor facilities.

"Until these are improved, then understandably Kent County Cricket Club is reluctant to play games there."

He added: "I’m sure that once all the wonderful facilities are there, Kent will be champing at the bit to come back and play there."

He had no doubt that people would want to buy properties overlooking such an historic sporting venue.

Hillreed hopes to submit a planning application before the end of the year.

Mr Creed said that if Maidstone council gives the go-ahead, the first homes in the development could be ready for buyers in 2007.

English and Wales Cricket Board controversially docked eight points from Kent this season because The Mote pitch was said to be below the required standard.