CBRE, the largest real estate company in the world, wants to convert an office block next to a cricket ground near Bingley, West Yorkshire. The bemused global corporation, with HQs in Los Angeles, Dallas and London, has been told to provide a risk assessment to prove buyers will not be injured by stray balls. They were caught out by objections from nearby century-old Crossflatts Cricket Club.

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       But planning officials warned in a report: "Both the cricket club and Sport England have raised concerns on implications of the development and operation of the cricket club. Currently there is no boundary protection to limit the ball from leaving the cricket pitch and travelling into the adjacent property. The cricket club have suggested the developer installs a protective net to the boundary to prevent the ball causing damage to the building, vehicles and occupiers of the flats."

       While no one disputes cricket balls can cause serious injury, the official statistics show the peak period for fatalities was in the 1930s and 1940s. Deaths and serious injuries had already begun to tail off before a dramatic reduction from the 1980s, when helmets were introduced for batsmen. Only five deaths on the field have been recorded worldwide in the past 30 years.

       But a Bradford Council spokesman insisted: "Some of the buildings are close to the ground and when converted from office blocks into apartments would be in more use at weekends when most cricket matches are played. This could lead to a greater risk of ball strikes to cars and residents. We have therefore asked the developer to carry out a risk assessment."