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MCC reveals Lord's 'Masterplan'

The MCC has revealed a 15-year 'Masterplan' for the development of Lord's to maintain the ground's status as the finest in the world and to secure two Test matches and two ODIs every year.

The project, compiled by the MCC Ground Working Party and publicised to members at the club's AGM, will cost up to £200 million, begin in 2014 - with the final phase scheduled to get underway in 2027.

The development will see the capacity increase by 2,700 with the Warner, Tavern, Allen, Compton and Edrich stands rebuilt and the pavilion extended. A new entrance will be created on Grove End Road behind the pavilion, which will supersede the Grace Gates as the member's entrance, and the existing entrances will be upgraded to better cater for large attendances.

The new stands, Grove End Road entrance and new Thomas Lord building will be completed by 2017 and be funded by current MCC resources. The development will pause in 2019 when England host the World Cup before continuing with the rebuilding of the Compton and Edrich Stands and work on the Nursery Ground - a new food street, ECB offices and the removal of the Nursery pavilion to move the playing area towards Wellington Road.

"This Masterplan has cricket at its heart," MCC president Mike Griffith said. "Every MCC Member cares deeply for our wonderful ground and we have a duty to ensure any changes made to Lord's reflect the love we have for cricket, its history and its heritage. This Masterplan will reinforce the special place the ground has within the game by making it even better for every player and spectator who comes here."

Colin Maber, the chairman of MCC's Ground Working Party and Estates committee, added: "The Masterplan has been designed to provide a framework within which Ground development over the next 15 years can be set.

"The phased approach allows room for flexibility and evolution. Our key principles - on the absolute need to retain the size of both grounds, on keeping Lord's as a Ground rather than making it a stadium, on the importance of green open spaces, and on enhancing the experience for every visitor - will underpin all we do. It is advanced work in progress, but can be flexed to reflect changing economic circumstances, technology and research."

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