Somerset on the verge of losing the right to host international matches

Cooper Associates County Ground (PC: Twitter)

The Cooper Associates County ground in Taunton has hosted several men's and women's fixtures in recent years.

Due to the increasing issue of the phosphate crisis, the councillors have warned that the ground could lose its rights to host international matches if they don't take care of the problem. 

The portfolio holder for development and assets, Ros Wyke, laid out her concerns in a letter addressed to both the Defra and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) on Friday.

She said the council was committed to protecting the Somerset Levels and that the delivery of new homes was "disproportionately" impacted, given that homes account for a relatively small amount of phosphate levels compared to agriculture or sewage processing.

The phosphate crisis was threatening Somerset economy

It was not just the delays with the delivery of new houses, but according to Wyke, the Phosphate crisis was also threatening Somerset's economy- including the viability of its cricket club, which has been situated at the same ground since 1882. She said:

"Local construction companies, which are predominantly small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), are inevitably disproportionately hit by the slowing of permissions due to the current policy, 

 "Somerset County Cricket Club, to give just one example, is currently concerned that the right to host international cricket may be removed from the county due to the pause on the development of suitable hotels to host touring teams."

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