THE public has had its first look at plans for the multi-million pound re-development for Essex County Cricket Club.

A two-day exhibition, which started yesterday, is being held at the club in New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, displaying full details of the £90m project.

It paves the way for the planning application that is to be submitted to Chelmsford Council next month.

David East, chief executive of the club, said the plans had been ten years in the making and had now come to fruition.

"It is a very exciting time and will bring us into the 21st century. It will create a vibrant new home for Essex County Cricket Club of which the whole region can be proud."

The plans include: a new cricket centre with coaching and practice facilities including a new six lane practice hall, a new cricket pavilion, 400 residential units, a public piazza with a bridge across from Central Park to provide access from the town centre and increased ground capacity from 5,800 to 7,500.

The housing will be provided in three different areas including fronting Parkway and New Writtle Street and there will be a multi-storey car park.