Sussex will begin the transformation of the County Ground this summer with the £3/4m development of a new indoor school.

The facility, which will also include dressing rooms and physio and fitness suites, will be built on the site of the Willows building in the north-west corner of the ground.

The practice facilities will complement the 16 new outdoor and two artificial nets which are due to come into use later this year.

Chairman Don Trangmar announced details of the scheme at last night's Annual General Meeting. And he pledged that further re-development of the ground would take place, but only once funding was in place.

Sussex plan to finance the first phase through grants from several sources including the Cricket Foundation and they hope the facility will enable them to apply to the ECB for Youth Academy status which would also attract financial aid.

They will apply for planning permission soon and have already had what Trangmar described as 'very constructive' talks with local residents and Brighton and Hove Council about their redevelopment plans.

Trangmar said: "I've been frustrated by the lack of progress we have made in developing the ground since we decided that we were staying at Hove.

"This is the first piece in the jigsaw. We are determined to bring the ground up to standard and improving the indoor nets and changing facilities which has been long overdue will help us do this."

The new facility means that the Gilligan stand at the southern end of the ground, which currently houses indoor nets, will eventually be demolished.

Fire regulations mean only 100 spectators can watch cricket from the balcony on top of it. But when that happens depends on where Sussex decide to build their new pavillion during future redevelopment.

Trangmar added: "There are two or three options on where we put the new pavillion which are the subject of ongoing discussions although it's unlikely to be at the southern end because of climatic conditions.

"Everything depends on our ability to raise finance. What we will not do is put the club in debt. But redevelopment will start soon and once we complete phase one I think the whole thing will gather momentum very quickly."

Sussex made a profit of just over £2,000 last year, a modest sum but comparative riches when compared to neighbouring counties.

Middlesex have just announced a deficit of £309,000 while Hampshire (£193,000), Essex (£150,000) and Kent (£138,000) have also made substantial losses.

Meanwhile Sussex's most vocal supporter, Nick Bartlett, has failed in his attempt to have a voice on the committee.

Bartlett, whose renditions of 'Sussex by the Sea' are a feature of matches at Hove, finished fourth.

The election for the three vacancies was won by three current committee members John Ebdon (428 votes), Richard Barrow (408) and John Pengely (317).

Meanwhile, Sussex's players were heading to Grenada today to begin their two-week pre-season tour.

Only Billy Taylor, who is recovering from ankle surgery, has been left behind. The county play their first match on Saturday when they take on the Windward Islands in a 50 overs a side contest in the island's capital, St Georges.