Cricket club hits back after PM slams hold-up for new flats over fear of balls hitting residents LISTEN: Trump, Zelensky, the rise of Europe’s Far Right and what’s next for NATO – listen to Alas Vine & Hitchens wherever you get your podcasts.. By CIARAN FOREMAN Published: 11:09 GMT, 14 March 2025 | Updated: 11:09 GMT, 14 March 2025 A cricket club has hit back at Keir Starmer after he criticised the delay in building 139 new homes due to a 'cricket ball risk assessment' not having taken place. The Prime Minister yesterday condemned the delay in converting an empty office building in Bingley, West Yorkshire, after it was put on hold due to fears new residents could be struck by big hits. With Aire Valley House bordering Crossflatts Cricket Club, planners ordered that a risk assessment should be carried out before work could begin - but this has still not been given approval three years after the plans were given the green light. Yesterday the Prime Minister said the hold up was denying families and house-hunters the opportunity to move in. 'That is an office conversion that will create 139 homes,' he said. 'But now the future of that is uncertain because the regulator was not properly consulted on the power of cricket balls. 'Now, just think of the people, the families, the individuals who want those homes, to buy those homes to make their life and now they're held up. 'Why? You'll decide whether this is a good reason – because I'm going to quote, this is the reason – because the "ball strike assessment doesn't appear to be an undertaken by a specialist, qualified consultant".' Yesterday the Prime Minister said the hold up was denying families and house-hunters the opportunity to move in With Aire Valley House bordering Crossflatts Cricket Club (pictured), planners ordered that a risk assessment should be carried out before work could begin - but this has still not been given approval three years after the plans were given the green light The Prime Minister condemned the delay in converting the empty office building (pictured) in Bingley, West Yorkshire, after it was put on hold due to fears new residents could be struck by rogue shots Despite the initial risk assessment being rejected by Sport England last summer, work was still being carried out on site to transform the office block as newcomers look to move into the flats in 2027. Developers Aire Valley House Ltd are said to be in contact with the England Cricket Board, Sport England and Bradford Council to ensure the risk assessment is carried out and that a protective netting is installed before anyone moves in. Crossflatts Cricket Club - who compete in the Bradford Premier League and have played on their ground since 1905 - are also at the centre of discussions, and have hit back at Starmer's recent criticisms. A spokesman told The Times: 'It is not about windows being smashed, it is about residents going to their cars and potentially getting hit on the head by a heavy cricket ball. It could cost a life. Fears have been raised over the potentially fatal injuries that could be caused if new residents are struck by a cricket ball from the nearby ground (Stock Image) 'I can't see a £25 million development being set back by the builders having to pay out £30,000 for protective netting.' When Sport England rejected the original assessment, they said developers had underestimated the striking ability of some of the cricketeers. Their response said: 'The ball strike assessment doesn't appear to have been undertaken via a specialist qualified consultant. 'The report should be done via a specialist qualified consultant and be done on the basis of professional cricket.' MailOnline has contacted Crossflatts Cricket Club for further comment. Keir StarmerNew York Times Share or comment on this article: Cricket club hits back after PM slams hold-up for new flats over fear of balls hitting residents Add comment