This was one of several cricket grounds and recreational facilities associated with the factories who set up in the New Town, created in 1949. However, Lucas Girling had first moved to the area in 1939 and created gun turrets for the Royal Air Force at their initial facrtory.

Its plant expanded after the Second World War with Girlings (now known as Meritor) being one of the largest centres in the UK for training apprentices in the manufacture of braking systems.