Member Article

Mayoral seal of approval for £8m Lord’s Cricket Ground redevelopment

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has given a formal nod of approval a multi-million pound plans to redevelop Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The £8m proposals to redevelop the south-west side of the group will see an increase in 1,082 seats, taking capacity up to 30,530.

The project will see a new Tavern Stand and Allen Stand, together with restaurant and conference facilities, as well as a rebuilt Thomas Lord building, Harris Garden building and alterations to the pavilion.

There will be a new venue for the Thomas Lord pub with access to the Harris garden and scorer’s box and two extra dressing rooms, which will provide additional space for international teams and domestic team during one-day and T20 tournaments.

The scoreboard is to be replaced and retractable seating will be provided above it forming part of a new 5,200-seat stand which will also have two restaurants.

Plans for the ground in St John’s Wood also include the demolition of the Allen Stand, which has stood since 1935 and the Tavern Stand which has been in place since the mid-1960s.

Westminster council gave outline planning permission for the ground improvements last month and now the Mayor has given the seal of approval for what is the second phase of development at the home of cricket.

In June 2014, the Mayor gave the redevelopment of the Warner Stand the green light and work began on the 2,656-seater stand in September of this year.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “From WG Grace and Don Bradman through to Sir Ian Botham, Sachin Tendulkar, Shane Warne and our own Alastair Cook, the world’s best cricketers have graced this most historic and picturesque of cricket grounds.

“The history of Lord’s as the home of cricket must be retained and safeguarded and critical to that is ensuring it remains competitive in terms of staging international matches.

“The new stands will combine the very best design and architecture with simply stunning views of wickets tumbling and the sound of bat on ball in our capital.”

Derek Brewer, MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, said: “Following the consent given by the planning committee at Westminster City Council, MCC is delighted to have today received the Mayor’s endorsement for its South-Western Project (SWP) plans at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

The SWP is designed to ensure that Lord’s provides the very best facilities for players and spectators alike, and that the Ground remains truly world class in everything it has to offer.

“A five-year consent was submitted because the Club awaits the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision – expected in 2017 – on the programme of international matches for 2019-2022. Today’s announcement means the Club can conclude the legal procedures associated with the planning consent and look forward to making progress on these ambitious plans from Autumn 2019 onwards.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .