THE future of two of the North-East's oldest cricket clubs could be stumped by local planning authorities.

Housing schemes earmarked for Silksworth Cricket Club's ground in Sunderland, and South Northumberland Cricket Club's Gosforth home in Newcastle, are hailed as a potential salvation for both clubs.

But Sunderland City Council planners went against Silks-worth's proposed move to a new site, backed by housebuilder Wimpey, which would have bought the existing ground to develop 40 new homes. Had the move won planning approval, the Durham Coast League club proposed creating a "centre of cricket excellence" on a new site, further down Silksworth Lane from its home of the past 70 years.

Planners fear the housing scheme would lead to a loss of recreation land, while the replacement site, near the Silksworth Sainsbury's store, is deemed "unacceptable" because of competing uses for the land.

The 115-year-old club's financial difficulties were taken into consideration, but were not classed as "an overriding factor" in the recent decision by the city council's development control (south) sub-committee.

Club officials, who have pledged to "battle on" despite forecasting a gloomy future, are now considering appealing against refusal of planning permission.

Meanwhile, directors of the 130-year-old South Northumberland club, better known as "South North", have warned that they may have to review the club's future in Gosforth if plans to sell off part of its seven-acre Roseworth Terrace site, for development of 50 luxury apartments, are rejected by Newcastle City Council.

The North-East Premier League club, running at a £30,000-a-year loss, plans to develop an indoor winter training facility if the scheme wins planning approval.

South North's proposals, which directors claim would "secure the club's future", have been lodged with the city council.