Lord’s Cricket Ground has submitted plans to reimagine the historic Home of Cricket with an eye-catching new roof, stands and top-floor bar.
The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns the ground, has submitted an application to Westminster City Council to demolish and replace the Allen stand and completely redevelop the Tavern stand.
Design renders show the ground transformed with a new corrugated roof for the Tavern Stand, with the design believed to be inspired by cricket slip-catching cradles, creating a striking new look.
New tiers will be added to the stands under the proposed changes, and one of the big screens at the ground will be moved to create space for a top-floor bar.
A layer of seats will be added to the Tavern Stand while the Allen Stand, built in 1935 and the oldest at Lord’s, will be rebuilt with a new bridge linking it to the Grade-II listed Pavilion.
The bridge will be moved up a floor meaning it will no longer lead to the players and match officials area.
The redevelopment will add an extra 1,107 seats at the site, bringing the total capacity of the stadium to 32,287.
The plans would reportedly cost around £60million and could be ready in time for the 2027 Ashes.
The proposals mark the latest stage of the 200-year-old grounds’ transformation following the redevelopment of the Compton and Edtich Stands, which were opened in 2019.
The ground was first opened in 1818 and quickly became a major venue as cricket became the world's leading sport in the 19th century.
Ahead of the application, a series of consultations were held with its “egg and bacon” tie-wearing MCC members during several Test Match and One Day International fixtures at Lords.
Discussions were also held with nearby residents and community groups.
An application was lodged with Westminster City Council in December, and a council officers' report recommended the application for approval.
Councillors will view the application at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.
