St Helen's being readied for development?

For whatever reason, Labour-controlled Swansea City Council has shown no great enthusiasm for maintaining the rugby and cricket ground. Perhaps there is some resentment as seeing games for toffs Or the fact that councillors in the ward in which the ground lies are not members of the ruling group.

 The last time I was at the St Helen's ground for a cricket match, the toilet facilities for non-members needed  bringing up to the standards of the late 20th century, never mind the 21st. But I have never had trouble finding a variety of food and drink, especially on popular match days, and access for people with disabilities has always seemed easy from the rugby ground side. The desire of big-hitting batsmen to attack the Mumbles Road has clearly increased (I blame the IPL), but that can be mitigated by extra fencing.

However, a member of the Labour cabinet running Swansea City seems to feel that those factors and more would prevent county cricket coming back to St Helen's. The Evening Post quotes the councillor as listing work that "would be required to meet new England and Wales Cricket Board regulations [...] toilet provision, disabled access facilities and viewing platforms, a diverse food and drink offer, family facilities, multi-faith quiet space, umpire and staff changing and dining facilities, medical facilities, and control room and security upgrades".

Much of that seems appropriate to international stadiums rather than run-of-the-mill county venues. I would be interested to know how many grounds meet them. They have not stopped Neath's Gnoll bagging two Royal London matches in August this year. The councillor seems to be confusing the requirements for first-class cricket, such as the county championship, with other county competitions like the one-day cups, which are not first-class.

"Dwindling spectator numbers" were also cited. This is a vague assertion which needs backing up with dates. Covid-19 would account for the last two years. County championship matches all over lose support, sadly. On the other hand, a few 1-day matches in the holiday season would surely attract a crowd and sponsors.

It would be a sad day if the city of Don Shepherd, Simon Jones and Robert Croft were to lose its only major cricket ground. Developers, on the other hand, would be salivating at the possibility of a prime seaside location coming on the market.