The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has officially launched a £200m masterplan for the redevelopment of Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The first stage of the development is to commence in the autumn of 2014 with the Warner Stand first set for a revamp. The scheme is then expected to be completed in 2027 with the reconstruction of the Compton and Edrich Stands.
The total value of the scheme is estimated by the MCC to be costing between £180m and £200m. The first phase of the redevelopment alone, which is taking place between 2014-2019, is totaling £90m. It is being funded entirely from the Club’s own resources. The second and final phrase between 2012-2027 is then to be funded through a mixture of MCC funds and ‘sensible borrowing’ from other parties.
The full plan includes- rebuild of the Warner, Tavern & Allen, Compton and Edrich Stands, the resiting of the Nursery Ground towards the Wellington Road, a new entrance on Grove End Road which will be the main point of access on non-match days, and will supersede the Grace Gates as the Members’ entrance on match days, extensions to the Pavilion to include better pitch-facing facilities for players and match officials, new buildings at the North, East and Grace Gates incorporating banqueting facilities, retail space and offices for MCC and ECB staff, a new Food “Street” behind the Compton and Edrich Stands to replace the existing Food Village and finally a new subterranean car-parking, access routes, waste management, catering and storage facilities.
It will take the total capacity of Lord’s to 32,000 (currently 27,000). The first phrase alone will add 2,700 seats.