WORCESTER’S most important sporting monument has been saved from destruction after a crucial deal was struck with its owners.

Now Worcester City Council says it needs the help of a wealthy sports team or benefactor to secure the long-term future of the black-and-white cricket pavilion on the Cinderella Sports Ground in St John’s.

The city has fought long and hard to save the historic pavilion, but victory comes at a hefty price – the unlawful tactics which halted the demolition are set to cost the Worcester taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds in legal costs.

Earlier this year, the pavilion – the original 19th-century home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club – appeared certain to be knocked down after a judge removed the conservation area that protected it.

But now a deal between owner Arndale Properties and the council means both sports ground and pavilion should soon be offered back to the city at a peppercorn rent.

The council, however, says it will need a local sports team or philanthropist to help invest in the ground’s restoration, amid fears about the pavilion’s current state of repair.

Paul O’Connor, head of planning, said: “We’d ask anyone who might be able to help to get in touch.

“We’ve got a chance of saving the pavilion – but I doubt the council could do it alone.”

Arndale first attempted to demolish the pavilion back in 2006, saying it was too expensive to carry out the repair works needed.

The council managed to win a stay of execution, first by applying (unsuccessfully) to have the building listed, and then – as the bulldozers moved in – when a quick-thinking officer found birds nesting in its roof. The delay bought the city enough time to set up a protective conservation area around the ground – but this was scrapped in March by a High Court judge, who ruled the council had misused its powers.

It has now emerged just how costly the council’s actions were – Arndale has sent the city a legal bill totalling £70,000. The council is disputing the size of the claim, and the matter is now in the hands of the courts.

However, the delay ultimately appears to have had the desired effect.

“There are no plans to demolish any buildings on the sports ground,” said Chris Hall of SJS Properties, which acts on behalf of Arndale.

“We are just holding it until events take their course.

“If the council doesn’t take up the lease then of course we’ve got to put our thinking caps on again.”

Under the terms of the agreement, the council will be offered a 25-year lease on the sports ground once the redevelopment of the neighbouring Cinderella factory site begins.

The works site already has outline permission for housing and its new owner, Barratt Homes, recently submitted a detailed application for an 83-property development.